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Hockey players settle with South Korea in the quarterfinals of the World Cup after the break: 5-1
The Dutch hockey men are still two victories away from the world title. In Bhubaneshwar, India, the Orange easily defeated South Korea 5-1 in the quarterfinals of the World Cup on Wednesday afternoon.
Koen Bijen scored two goals for the Dutch team. In a game that was up and down, especially before half time, the Netherlands eventually held their own without too much trouble.
Belgium next opponent
In the semifinals, the Netherlands will meet Belgium on Friday afternoon (2.30 pm Dutch time), which defeated New Zealand. Reigning world champion Belgium will be the first real serious opponent this World Cup of Orange.
Yet it doesn’t quite feel that way for Justen Blok. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s already started and we’re on the right track.” Goal scorer Bijen is looking forward to the duel with the Belgians. “The pressure is on them. Bring it on.”
View the reactions of goal scorers Bijen and Blok below:
After three games without a goal for the Orange, the Koreans were able to score once, towards the end of the game. The first goal against for the Dutch team this World Cup. At that moment, the Orange already had a comfortable 4-0 lead. Based on the first two quarters, that big lead was not self-evident.
In the exciting opening minutes, for example, the South Koreans appeared with three men in the Dutch circle after a sloppiness by Tijmen Reyenga. They got penalty corners and looked sharp. The game went up and down. With opportunities on both sides, such as a ball that flew past from Floris Wortelboer. At a killer pace too. But still without goals.
The Orange had to be wary of the fast Korean counters and therefore seemed a little more anxious to start the second quarter. The Dutch got away well when De Vilder was just able to put his stick against a tight Korean pass.
Bees scores twice
Only three minutes before the break came some relief, when Thierry Brinkman dribbled over the entire back line to the Korean goal, and Bijen only had to poke the ball in: 1-0.
Shortly afterwards it was a bit of a shock when referee Ben Göntgen got the ball full in the face after a penalty corner via a Dutch leg. Bloodied he had to go to the side and was replaced by the reserve referee.
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The Orange celebrates a goal against South Korea ANP
The referee is taken off with a bloodied head
From quarter three, it was necessary to step up, said national coach Jeroen Delmee at halftime during a quick press talk. His men appeared to have listened. Because after just two minutes, Bijen reacted alertly in the rebound after a stopped penalty corner by Jip Janssen.
When the 3-0 also fell moments later, the game seemed decided. Janssen cleverly threw the ball into the circle, to the detached Justen Blok, who bounced the hard pass into the goal. Still, the Koreans came for a while. Just before the end of quarter three, Blaak, who until then had little to do in the quarter, suddenly had to act seriously after a pruning hard push from a penalty corner. After Blaak’s touché, the ball landed on the crossbar.
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When the fourth Dutch goal then fell after a touched bet by Steijn van Heijningen, the Orange took back some gas. Korea seemed to liven up again and started. It resulted in a deserved goal based on the first quarters. But when Teun Beins shot in the 5-1, it was really over.
First serious opponent
The Netherlands booked the 21st victory under Delmee, under whom the Orange lost only three times. Four years ago, the Netherlands and Belgium met in the World Cup final, in which the Belgians won after shoot-outs at the time. The Orange gets a chance for revenge on Friday.
