Dutch ease past Kiwis to close in on semis

New Delhi: The Netherlands closed in on a semi-final berth with a 3-1 victory over New Zealand in their second Pool A match on the fourth day of the Hockey World Cup on Wednesday.

New Zealand captain Phillip Burrows opened the scoring in the first minute of the match, but the Dutch equalised immediately through Ronald Brouwer (2nd minute).

The Netherlands then struck through expert drag-flicker Taeke Taekema (8th minute), converting his fourth successive penalty corner of the tournament to take his World Cup tally to 17 and join his famous countryman, Floris Jan Bovelander as the fourth in the all-time list of top scorers.

After two rounds, Taekema is the tournament's top scorer with four goals.

Jeroen Hertzberger (27th minute) slammed another as the Netherlands went 3-1 up in the first half.

The Netherlands, after beating Argentina 3-0 in the first match, consolidated their position at the top of Pool Awith six points, followed by defending champions Germany and Korea at four points each.

New Zealand, who defeated Canada in the first match, are placed third with three points. Canada and Argentina are yet to open their account.

New Zealand made a good start when Burrows sent the ball in with a touch from a Steven Edwards cross.

But the Netherlands regrouped within a minute and restored parity through Brouwer, making most of a fine reverse flick by skipper Teun de Nooijer.

Veteran Nooijer was again the backbone of his team, creating chances with his neat crosses and also earning the penalty corners.

Taekema, who scored 11 goals in the previous World Cup and a hat-trick in the first match against Argentina here, easily converted a short corner with one of his trademark drag- flicks.

Taekema, however, missed the next four penalty corners, a rarity for him.

New Zealand made some smart moves in the second half and was close to scoring on at least two occasions, but found veteran Dutch goalkeeper Guus Vogels in their way. New Zealand missed three penalty-corner opportunities, all in the second half.

Vogels, who had an excellent opener against Argentina, was again brilliant under the bar.