Hockey World Cup: Netherlands thrash Malaysia 4-0 in pool C game
The HinduHolland toyed with a hapless Malaysia, playing at an easy pace and yet dominating the proceedings to win 4-0 in its opening Pool C game of the World Cup at the Birsa Munda International Stadium here on Saturday. The Dutch, finalists last time, were all over the place, running at a speed that the Malaysians could barely keep pace with and passing the ball around with minimum challenge. Thijs van Dam put the Dutch ahead in the 20th minute and Jip Janssen made it 2-0 four minutes later, slotting a penalty stroke for an unnecessary tackle from Amiruol Azahar into the bottom right corner with ease. With even the crowd – it was a near-full house even for the two-day games and without India playing – getting restless and asking for some attacking play from the Asian side, Malaysia even managed to earn a couple of penalty corners in the 3rd quarter, only for the Dutch to clear it away with ease.