Source: The Sangai Express / AFP
Terrassa, Jul 31:
Netherlands won the men's field hockey Champions Trophy defeating Germany 2-1 here.
Spain took third place over Australia, winning 5-4 on penalty strokes after the scores were locked at 2-2 after extra time and Pakistan took fifth place with a 3-1 win over Argentina.
Two first half goals was all Netherlands needed to strike gold.
Taeke Taekema converted Netherlands first penalty corner opportunity and Teun de Nooijer was left free at the top of the circle to score a field goal.
Timo Wess scored off Germany's only penalty corner in the second half but their chances of salvaging a draw were dealt a blow eight minutes from time when Philipp Zeller received his marching orders after a yellow card.
Two missed penalty strokes cost Australia after a 2-2 draw in regulation time against the hosts.
Three minutes after the start of extra time, Australia earned a penalty stroke, disputed for several minutes by Spain with umpire Hamish Jamson, but Brent Livermore hit the post.
The match went to penalties and Australia's Luke Doerner failed with Australia's last penalty stroke to hand Spain third place.
"This result shows that all the teams are very close but I am confident of our team's chances at the World Cup," said Maurits Hendriks, Spain's coach.
"It was always going to be a very close match and it only takes one little mistake and it can be very costly," said Colin Batch, Australia's assistant coach.
"In this tournament we have taken substantial steps forward in our preparation for the World Cup." Luke Doerner converted Australia's first penalty corner three minutes into the second half and Eduard Tubau punished a defensive error to get a free shot on goal to score for Spain.
Michael McCann set up Grant Eglington to also get a free shot on goal for Australia to lead 2-1 before Spain's Pol Amat deflected in a free hit from outside the circle to equalise.
Pakistan beat Argentina for the second day in a row to avoid the wooden spoon.
Pakistan's Rehan Butt scored two field goals in the first half and Sohail Abbas converted the second of Pakistan's three penalty corners five minutes into the second half.
Argentina had four penalty corner chances with Mario Cammareri converting the third.
"Although we have not won games in this tournament, we have improved the intensity with which we play and we have gained confidence in our game and in ourselves, and I have confidence in this team," said Sergio Vigil, Argentina's coach.
Asif Bajwa predicted a semi-final place for Pakistan in September's World Cup.
"I am sure the boys have the potential to come into the last four in the World Cup," Bajwa said.