Co-host Singapore starts Hockey Junior World Cup on losing note against Netherlands

Story by Koh Yizhe. Photos by Vanessa Lim, Marvin Lowe

Seng Kang Sports and Recreation Centre, Sunday, June 7, 2009 – Co-host Singapore started their 2009 Hockey Junior World Cup campaign with a demoralising 8-0 defeat to the Netherlands in Pool D.

Netherlands, ranked fourth in the world, dominated the match with Bob de Voogd (Netherlands, #19) scoring a hat-trick, while Mink van der Weerden (Netherlands, #11) added a brace through two quick penalty corners in succession during the first half.

Singapore, who are ranked 35 places lower than their opponents, were pinned back in their own half during the opening goings as they fought to keep the score goalless through brave, last ditch tackling. However, it didn't take long for Netherlands to be settled and soon, they score their first goal.

In the 10th minute, a Netherlands player was allowed time and space to make a run into Singapore's D down the right and his cross found Bobber Kemperman (Netherlands, #18), who easily deflected the ball in, scoring the first goal of the match.

Singapore were fortunate to keep out a penalty corner from Mink van der Weerden (Netherlands, #11) after that, before the floodgates opened. van der Weerden scored two quick penalty corners with drag flicks in the 17th minute and 20th minute, giving Netherlands a 3-0 lead.

Singapore only had their first attack of note in the 24th minute when Enrico Elifh Marican forced a double save from Netherlands' goalkeeper. However, with Singapore giving the ball away cheaply in the middle of the field, it was no surprise that Netherlands scored again nine minutes before half-time.

Bob de Voogd dribbled into the area with a swift counter attack and was given time and space to unleash a shot that flew past Brian Foo (Singapore, #18), scoring his first goal of the afternoon and his team's fourth.

Half-time couldn't come sooner for Singapore as they left the pitch 0-4 down.

But the goals didn't stop there. Singapore's goalkeeper Brian Foo (Singapore, #18) was called into action numerous times in the second half as Netherlands bombarded Singapore's goal.

With shots raining down on him, it was just a matter of time before Netherlands scored again and they did in the 47th minute. Foo saved a shot but it fell to Lukas Siebinga (Netherlands, #9) who had the easiest of tasks to tap it into an empty net, giving his side a 5-0 lead.

de Voogd then scored his second of the afternoon when he deflected Wouter Brasem’s (Netherlands, #6) cross into goal in the 49th minute after the latter did well with a run down the left. The tall forward then completed his hat-trick six minutes later when he put in a rebound after Brasem's shot was saved.

At the other end, Singapore's forwards were unable to make an impact as they chased long balls that were pumped up to them in vain.

Roderick Musters (Netherlands, #5) made it 8-0 two minutes from time, rounding up a forgettable afternoon for Singapore.

Despite the massive score line, Netherland's coach Paul van Ass wasn't pleased with his side's performance.

"I am not very happy with the performance although we won 8-0. The structure of the team is not too good and they weren't at the standard that we trained for. We will have to improve the structure of the team. I don't think we will be complacent as we don't that "good" feeling yet. We will only know where we stand after the game against India."

Singapore's coach Chuan Lim Chiow also commented on the game.

"We knew it would be an uphill task playing against teams like Netherlands. The players must learn and improve from this match and get better. The marking and tackling also needs work. But it was great to see supporters come down to support the team."

When asked about the match against India, the 2001 champions, he said, "We will have to recover quickly as it would definitely be a tough match. I'll have to take a look again at the players, but I don't want to make too many changes."

In the other Pool D encounter, New Zealand beat Poland 8-1.