'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Pakistan took on the Netherlands in their final game of Pool D with the second place at stake. Pakistan needed a win to qualify as the second placed team from their Pool.
The Pakistani defence had lived upto its billing by putting up solid performances against Germany and Malaysia.
There was an intense start to the match as both sides struck one goal each in the first quarter. A first time finish from Valentin Verga then restored the lead for the Dutch in the 27th minute.
In the second half, it was a vintage display from the Dutch that completely blew away Pakistan.
The forward line kept on creating chance after chance as the Pakistani defence looked shell-shocked. Goals from Bob de Voogd, Jorrit Croon and Mink Van Der Weerden ensured a comfortable 5-1 win over for the Dutch.
Let us take a look at the three reasons why the Dutch beat Pakistan 5-1.
#3 Pakistani defence falls apart
Pakistan's defence had been in very good form in the first two games. They restricted both Germany and Malaysia to just one goal apiece in the first two games of the tournament.
The likes of Aleem Bilal, Mubashar Ali and Rashid Mehmood were very impressive against Germany.
However, they were brought to their knees by a superlative performance from the Dutch. The forward line consistently exploited the space on the wings with the trio of Jeroen Hertzberger, Seve Van Ass and Thierry Brinkman causing havoc.
Aleem Bilal particularly had a torrid time in defence, conceding some soft penalty corners. The game was pretty close at half-time but the Dutch completely dominated in the second half, scoring three more goals.
Had it not been for the brilliance of Imran Butt who managed to keep out seven short corners from Mink Van Der Weerden, Pakistan would have even struggled to qualify for the crossovers.
#2 Sensational display from Holland’s forward line
After a 7-0 thrashing of Malaysia in the first game, the Dutch forward line could not do much of note against Germany.
They put the disappointing performance against Germany behind them and put in a scintillating show for the crowd gathered at the Kalinga stadium.
Thierry Brinkman opened the scoring for the Dutch, scoring an easy tap-in in the 6th minute of the game.
Pakistan responded with a goal from the experienced Umar Bhutto. Seve Van Ass then linked up brilliantly with Valentin Verga to restore their lead. There was some exhilarating stuff on show from the Dutch forward line in the second half of the game.
Some selfless play resulted in two easy tap-ins: one each for Bob de Voogd and Jorrit Croon. The star of the show though was Van Ass whose penetrating runs kept bothering the Pakistani back line. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant outing.
#1 High possession/High Pressing play from the Dutch
The match began on an even note with both teams testing out the opposition’s keeper. Some individual brilliance from Van Ass resulted in the Dutch heading into the interval with a 2-1 lead.
However, after half time, the complexion of the game changed completely with the Dutch enjoying some great possession.
Whenever the Netherlands lost the ball, they would get it back quickly with some intense pressing in the middle of the field from Jonas De Geus and captain Billy Bakker.
Pakistan’s circle penetrations reduced drastically in the second half as their forward line was always hurried in possession, leading to turnovers.
Rehan Butt’s plan of attacking the Dutch on the counter failed miserably due to high pressing from the Dutch.
It was only when De Geus was shown a yellow card in the later stages of the game that Pakistan enjoyed some possession and threatened the Dutch defence.
Almost all of Pakistani attacking threat came from the penalty corners as the forward line failed to create chances from open play.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the latest Hockey World Cup Points table, schedule, stats & previews.
