New Delhi: Germany made a statement why they are the defending World Champions by decimating minnows Egypt 6-0 in a Pool A clash to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Hockey Junior World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Tuesday.
Pakistan, on the other hand, failed to qualify for the last eight after they drew Belgium 2-2 despite leading 2-0 at one point in the last Pool A clash. With two wins and a draw, Belgium (seven points) topped the pool ahead of five-time champions Germany (six points). Pakistan (four points) and Egypt (zero points) will now play the classification playoffs.
Germany needed a win to advance to the quarters and immediately got on the scoreboard with a little help from an Egyptian defender deflecting the ball to his own goal. Germany doubled their tally in the 19th minute when Niklas Bruns scored with an easy deflection.
The Germans controlled the proceedings and went into the break leading 2-0.
In the second-half, Germany missed a couple of chances and were off target on two penalty corners. However, Christopher Ruhr widened the gap in the scoreline in the 42nd minute.
The Europeans added three more goals through Mathias Muller, Ruhr and Bruns to finish with a 6-0 scoreline.
Later in the day, Pakistan seemed in a better frame of mind than their first two matches and pushed Belgium in the initial 15 minutes. They could, however, not threaten Belgian keeper Arnaud Flamand and play became balanced.
Pakistan finally overwhelmed the Belgian defence in the second half when Muhammad Dilber inherited the ball in the 41st minute and delivered a lethal shot straight into the target.
Pakistan increased their lead in the 54th minute via Muhammad Faisal Qadir at the conclusion of a swift counter-attack that swept the whole pitch in three quick passes.
Things were looking bleak for Belgium but they did not give up and closed the gap in the 60th minute when Maxime Plennevaux blasted a backhand shot high in the corner.
Momentum was now for Belgium and Plennevaux scored another spectacular goal, escaping his marker in the circle and managing a diving shot that left Mazhar Abbas stranded in the Pakistani goal.
The Europeans made sure they are still undefeated in the tournament and head to the quarters topping their pool ahead of heavyweights Germany.
Pool A results:
Germany beat Egypt 6-0, Belgium drew Pakistan 2-2.
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