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In this highly dramatic match the Dutch finally defeated a strong English team. The Netherlands got off better, as world hockey player Teun de Nooijer kept pushing his team forward. But it was England that scored first, with birthday boy Bleby going by two Dutch defenders in the 9th minute. Vogels managed to save his shot, only to see James Tindall converting the rebound. Not enough with that, in the 15th minute Mantell used van der Weide's mistake and shot the resulting penalty corner into the lower right side.
The Elftal's answer was not long to be waited for, as in the 19th minute the overwhelming de Nooijer himself made a tip-in of captain Delmee's pass into the circle. Holland kept the pressure high, as a result of which only two minutes later Brouwer scored on a rebound and equalized. The 23rd minute saw the next good opportunity for the Dutch, with keeper James fair making a fine save against Taekema. Another two minutes later Taekema must have considered himself lucky that after a rude cross-check against Cordon he was sent off only for ten minutes. His missing subsequently hindered the Dutch, as they did not manage to score on two penalty corners before the half-time break.
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Again it was England with the better start after the break, and again it was James Tindall who scored the English 3-2 lead in the 39th minute after a fine assist by Matt Daly. But Taekema was to come back, and much of his anger might have gone into the thundering drag-flick that he, as a result of a short corner, sent into the right angle in the 44th minute. Not a chance for goalie Fair to save that 107 km/h fast rocket-like ball. The match was now absolutely open and went back and forth, the atmosphere in the Warsteiner HockeyPark becoming electric. Another important scene in the 60th minute saw Jones being sent to the sin bin for five minutes as result of a controversial decision. The English were now a man down and the Elftal kept putting enormous pressure on the English circle. Again it was player of the day Taeke Taekema, who in the 63rd minute converted a penalty corner into the left angle, after keeper Fair made a brilliant save against him only a minute before. With only six minutes to go, England threw everything forward, and with a mere two minutes left on the clock was rewarded with a superb opportunity. But Cordon's pass to the long post was missed by Middleton by a cat's whisker only, and that was that.
The Netherlands had real trouble to win this match against the English, who grew better from match to match. The merits mainly go to the Dutch stars Teun de Nooijer and Taeke Taekema, who never stopped pushing their team towards victory. Holland now ranks second in pool B behind Korea, with the some number of points as Germany, who has played one match less yet. Despite this brilliant fight England has by this result no more chance to reach the semi-finals.
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