KUALA LUMPUR – European powerhouses Germany and France played fast and furious hockey to qualify for the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup quarterfinals.
A total of 19 goals were scored in the final matches in Group B as the junior Honamas and the junior Le Bleus rattled their opponents in a scorching morning encounter at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
Germany, eyeing their seventh World Cup title, easily cruised past Egypt by trouncing them 10-0.
Head coach Rein van Eijk expressed his satisfaction with his side for putting in their full effort to guarantee their qualification for the next round.
“We won big, but I’m not so concerned about the score. Most importantly, I’m proud of my boys for showing up after losing our previous match against France.
“Our overall goal was to push the tempo of the game faster by playing more short passes, and I’m happy that my boys followed my instructions and executed them very well.
“More than that, I’m also happy to see Florian Sperling winning his second man of the match award, and I hope to see him scoring more goals and leading us as far as we can in this tournament.
“The Egyptians showed good effort throughout the game, and we need to give them credit for putting up a good game,” said van Eijk in today’s post-match conference.
Germany’s goals were scored by Florian (10th, 25th), Nikas Berendts (14th, 50th, 58th), Liam Holdermann (17th, 22nd), Jakob Brilla (19th), Michel Struthoff (32nd), and Paul Glander (42nd).
In the earlier group match, France had to overcome a resolute South African side in a thrilling match, which saw Matthias Dierckens’s side winning 5-4.
The 35-year-old head coach said the scoring rate was so fast that he did not get to watch some of the goals after taking his eyes off the match for a few seconds.
“This was the most exhausting game for myself and the players due to the early surge of nine goals. After the break, fatigue set in, and the match slowed down, but we maintained our lead to progress.
“We came here to finish in the top two of the group, and after beating Germany, we went for the top position and secured it,” said Dierckens.
The French goals were scored by Jules Verrier (1st), Stanislas Branicki (4th), Gaspard Denis (15th), Mathis Clement (22nd), and Louis Haertelmeyer (27th).
Hans Neethling (14th), Caleb Oliphant (15th), and Cameron le Forestier (21st, 25th) scored for South Africa.
Germany will take on defending champions Argentina in the quarterfinals on December 12, while France will take on either host Malaysia or Australia, who will be facing each other to finish second in Group A later today. – December 8, 2023