JOHANNESBURG: Giants Germany survived a sustained rally by hosts South Africa to win 4-3 on Thursday in a thrilling climax to matchday 3 at the Men’s Hockey World League in Johannesburg.
The Germans, gold medalists twice and bronze winners once in the past three Olympics, twice built three-goal leads at a packed University of the Witwatersrand hockey stadium.
But goals from Austin Smith, making his 150th international appearance, and Jonathan Robinson for South Africa set up a tense finish to the Pool B game.
Germany had a fifth goal disallowed and their goalkeeper, Mark Appel, pulled off a brilliant left-hand parry to prevent an equaliser off a last-minute penalty corner.
The second German goal on 32 minutes was the best of the match as flier Niklas Wellen ran along the baseline and when his shot was blocked, he regained possession and scored. “I am gutted that we lost in front of a fantastic crowd,” admitted Smith, “but I am proud of the effort put in by a team with many youngsters.”
Leaders Belgium, Germany and Ireland have six points and are through to the quarterfinals, leaving South Africa and Egypt to battle for the other place. — AFP
Men’s Hockey World League results
Pool A: France 4 (Tynevez 10, Baumgarten 21, Goyet 44, Rogeau 55) Japan 1 (Wakuri 24)
Australia 2 (Wotherspoon 53, Mitton 60) Spain 0
Bye: New Zealand
Pool B: Ireland 2 (Cargo 31, O’Donoghue 59) Egypt 1 (Elnaggar 25)
Germany 4 (Trompertz 27, Wellen 32, Grambusch 34-PC, Herzbruch 38) South Africa 3 (Smith 37, 50, Robinson 56)
Bye: Belgium
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