By Pranavesh Sivakumar, reporting from Bhubaneshwar, India.
After thrills and spills, it was the sudden death that had the final say with Holland giving a heartbreak to the Aussies with a score line of 4-3 at a real semi-final 2, on Saturday (15), at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, India
Entering the fourth, final and the decisive part, racing against the clock, Australia ran impatient, let their frustration out and conceded a penalty, though, on an unsuccessful note.
Australians, burned every trick in the book to equalise. But, good fortune turned misfortune, missing out on a golden penalty opportunity. In the last minute of the game, all the hard work went squandered Netherlands conceding an own goal. Reviving the crowd back on their feet.
Netherlands after overcoming the hosts India two goals to one, had to initially sweat their defence against the men in yellow.
However, they picked up in momentum and opened the scoring in the ninth-minute for the first quarter. Ever-since, then, Netherlands had gained in possession. Scoreboard quickly read 2-0, with the Dutch leading.
Though, Aussies managed to enter the Dutch defence sporadically, Netherlands excellent keeping deprived a goal opportunity.
Netherlands swiftly became fast with their foot and were fired up, earning penalty corners. Despite beating the Dutch defence, Aussies lack of support cost them.
Men in Black’s lovely guiding was the foundation backed by able assists in finding the net twice-over. At Half-time, Netherlands, were well-ahead by maintaining the score line 2-0.
Men from down under left with an elusive goal of levelling, let alone winning, virtually found the net. Shortly after having started the last half, Aussies exhibited an improvise show with their attack.
No. 9 from Netherlands, nearly pulled-off an out-of-the-ordinary third-goal, winning the battle with the defence.
Aussies breathed a sigh of relief, when the Dutch attack failed the easiest of assists. Moments before the 3rd quarter drew to a close, Australia returned to the game with their first goal.
Holland will lock horns with Belgium, tomorrow (16), for the grand finale, the latter having battered Brits in another semi-final, earlier in the day
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