KUALA LUMPUR: The German hockey-machine romped to a comfortable 4-1 win against India in the Junior World Cup semi-finals today to move closer to their fourth title on Malaysian soil.
Germany won three of their six JWC titles in Malaysia, achieving it in 1982 (KL), 1989 (Ipoh), and 2009 (jointly hosted by Johor and Singapore).
Germany's other titles were won in 1985 (Vancouver, Canada), 1993 (Terrassa, Spain), and 2013 (New Delhi, India).
India won the lion's share of penalty corners, a total of 12, but failed to score a single goal. Germany only had two penalty corners and converted both.
Sudeep Chirmako equalised for India with an 11th minute field goal, but after that, it was precision which won the match for Germany.
The European giants got their goals off Ben Hasbach (eighth, 30th), Paul Glander (41st) and Florian Sperling (58th).
"We played the German style of hockey, which is to take possession of the ball and make accurate passes, and I believe that won us the match. India were not easy to overcome after the equaliser. The turning point was when Ben Hasback scored his second goal in the 30th minute.
"That was the moment of the match for us. Also our goalkeeper (Joshua Onyekwue) and first runners kept us in the match by defending 13 penalty corners.
"I believe Joshua is instrumental in taking us into the final as he played consistently from the group stages until the knockout.
"Of course we are looking to win our fourth title in Malaysia," said German coach Rein van Eijk.
In 1982 Paul Lissek was their coach: "Lissek will visit the team tomorrow (Friday) to motivate them as he was the coach when we won our first title in Malaysia," said Van Eijk.
Lissek was also a former Malaysian coach for the juniors as well as seniors,
India coach C R Kumar was utterly disappointed with the wasted 13 penalty corners.
"We won many but failed to score a single goal, and I am disappointed with the defeat in the semis. But we will get up and play for a place on the podium (bronze)," said Kumar.
The other disappointment for Kumar was when his players pushed for a goal with 30 seconds remaining to half time.
"That was a mistake which cost us the match. We were 1-1, and with 30 seconds to half time, my players pushed forward, and Germany punished us with a goal. We never recovered after that," said Kumar.