Netherlands defeats Korea by 2-0 to ride into 2011 Rabo FIH Champions Trophy Finals
Kim Lammers and Carlijn Welten scored one goal and each had an assist, as Netherlands marked a 2-0 win over Korea to book a berth in finals of the 2011 Rabo FIH Champions Trophy that took place at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Dutch city of Amstelveen on
July 02.
The Dutch team displayed an impressive performance to whitewash the Korean women in the final contest of the Pool C. It seemed that the results of the game were enough for both teams to get into the finals. However, Argentina outclassed Korea on basis of
the Pool C performances.
It was a crucial game, where the Netherlands and Korea started the game in fairly professional way. However, it was the day of the host team that drew the first blood in the very first minute of the game. Kim Lammers made a solo lengthy run towards the down-field
and took the ball inside the defensive circle of Korea. Lammers executed a well-organised shot, which moved into Korean goal and put them under intense pressure.
The maiden goal was enough to rapture the faces of Dutch fans. At the same time, it was an awakening call for Korean women in search of equaliser. The Asian tigers created some excellent moves in response of the first goal from the home-side. Floortje Engels,
the custodian of the Dutch team, made crucial dives to save the ball on many occasion and kept their lead on the score-board.
Cho Eun Ji, a legendary striker from Korea, made plenty of penetrations into the 25-yard line of the Netherlands. However, the shot-stopper from the opponent's side was enough active to palm away the ball from the danger zone. The Korean side earned a brilliant
chance to make an equaliser into game, when Mi Hyun Park executed a wonderful deflection into the right corner of the net. Engels, however, was ready to save the ball and denied the effort.
The Dutch team was not only showing splendid defence, but also making offences to double the tally. Their extensive efforts bore fruits in the 29th minute of the match, when Carlijn Welten comfortably tapped the ball into the Korean goal. Though
the credit of the goal went to Welten, it was Claire Verhage who eased the work of Welten in increasing the score up to two goals.
It was the only offence from the two teams in the two halves of play. The visiting side made numerous offences in the second half to get on the scoring board, but failed to break the defence-line of Netherlands. As the time completed, the Dutch side won
the game at 2-0. With the triumph, they have moved into the finals of the eight-nation tournament.
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