Sticks
News
Day 8
posted on 10/03/2010
Video referrals have been one of the new developments here in Delhi and are being used for the first time at a World Cup. The speed of the game is so fast that umpires can now be challenged by a team where they feel an injustice has been done. If the team is adjudged right on an incident then they can continue to refer and do not lose the opportunity to refer again. If the team is wrong and the original umpire's decision is correct then they lose the right to go to another video referral for the rest of the game. This has had the effect that video referrals can now have an important influence on outcome of the game - particularly with key decisions in and around the circle. The secondary effect is that they slow the game down at a key time whilst the video referral is being analysed on the TV monitor disrupting the flow of the game. In the days opening game Korea showed the sort of form that had so far eluded them here in a convincing 9-2 victory over Canada. Slick passing and counter attacking at pace was the key to their victory. They also found their scoring touch and confidence at penalty corners. In the days second game New Zealand who had been playing a measured tournament so far here in Delhi were looking to push forward their claims for a semi final berth against a so far pointless Argentina. The game was extremely close with both sides trying desperately to gain the upper edge. New Zealand will rue when they failed to convert a penalty stroke following a well executed penalty corner routine midway through the first half. It proved to be costly as the Argentinians scored the only goal of this close match midway through the second half to secure their first points of the World Cup so far. Argentina are ranked 14th in the World coming into this tournament and have so far played well and have pushed the higher ranked teams close. The close victory could well turn out to be a turning point in their tournament as they will gain confidence from this win In the days final game, two of World Hockey playing giants knew the winner would secure a semi final spot with one game to go in this closely contested pool A Holland scored a first half penalty corner to take the half time lead but Germany turned on their pressure play in the second half pressing the Dutch team back to try and get a foot hold in the game. Germany not only equalised but took the lead during an impressive spell of powerful attacking hockey that had the Dutch worried - However the Dutch dug deep and equalised five minutes from time and the game ended as a 2-2 draw. It now means it is all still to play for in Pool A where four team are still in with a chance of making the semi finals going into the last round of pool matches. Holland lead the pool on 10 points, followed by Germany on 8 points, Korea on 7 points and New Zealand on 6 points. Argentina have 3 points and Canada remain without a point so far.
