Netherlands was always expected to have it easy against Canada. Unbeaten so far in the Hockey World League Finals here, the European champion did not struggle in its quarterfinal match, winning 2-0 here on Wednesday to become the first semifinalist of the competition.
Playing with far lesser intensity than it is capable of, the World No. 2 hardly pushed hard. It was content keeping possession and experimenting with its players, formations and variations. The first shot at goal was taken only in the 12th minute.
Canada, expected to stay defensive and try to get a shot in on counter-attacks, instead went all out to get a goal with speedy runs down both flanks. However, most of its attempts fizzled out outside the circle as the Dutch defence parried them away.
On the other hand, the Dutch forward line kept entering the Canadian circle but failed to put one through. Canadian goalkeeper Antoni Kindler brought off some good saves. Canada was also unlucky in the 23rd minute when a powerful shot by Gabriel Ho-Garcia from the top of the circle struck Matthew Guest hard on his chin before rolling past the goalline.
In reply, Netherlands ran away with the ball and in the ensuing melee, Constantijn Jonker was put through by Valentin Verga for the opener. A 1-0 lead at half time was surprising given the Dutch dominance but then, they had not really been trying to go on a goalfest.
Post break, the pattern continued. To be fair, Canada did try its best to get the equaliser and did not allow Netherlands to run away with the game. Its defence marshalled by captain Scott Tupper stood up to the attack and thwarted two penalty corners.
The attack led by Man of the Match Mark Pearson tried to look for gaps in the Dutch defence but except for one half chance in the 46th minute, there was not much it could do.
The result (quarterfinals): Netherlands 2 (Constantijn Jonker, Roel Bovendeert) bt Canada 0.
