The Netherlands has defeated Australia, the two-time defending champion of the Hockey World Cup, in the semifinals in a intense match to advance to the finals against Belgium, marking Belgium’s first appearance in the Hockey World Cup final. The game took place on Saturday, dimming Australia’s hopes of winning the Hockey World Cup for a third consecutive time.
Had Australia succeeded, they would have been the first country to achieve such a feat. The Australian team, known as the Kookaburras, managed to come back from being 2-0 down and equalized within 26 seconds of the game ending. The match ultimately led to a shootout where both teams missed several shots, ending in a 3-3 tie and advancing to a sudden death phase.
Jeroen Hertzberger scored for the Dutch team, while Dutch goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak saved a shot by Daniel Beale using his stick, securing the victory. Hertzberger mentioned that they faced difficulties during the game but maintained focus and believed they deserved the win in the end. The pressure of the shootouts was nerve-wracking, but overall, it was an incredible game. The team trusted their goalie, even when they missed opportunities.
The victory holds significance for Belgium, as they were also in the World Cup and appeared in the finals of the Olympics as well. Hertzberger added that they need to perform better to have a chance at winning the World Cup. In the other semi-final match, Belgium defeated England with a score of 6-0, leading to an intense shootout and sudden death. The Netherlands triumphed, aiming to add another title to their previous wins in 1973, 1990, and 1998.
