Holland beat New Zealand 3-0 to finish 7th in World cup

Monchengladbach, Sep 16 (UNI) A brace by mercurial striker Roderick Weusthof enabled Holland outplay New Zealand 3-0 to take the seventh place in the 12-nation Hockey World Cup here today.

The Dutch led 1-0 at half time. While Weusthof struck in 34th and 49th minute, Taeke Taekma converted a penalty corner in between in the 40th minute.

The Dutch played with the same intensity which they had shown in the league match and mostly dominated the proceedings but the Kiwis, undeterred by their rival's reputation put up a good fight in the first session.

Both the teams had their chances midway through the first session but all were squandered. Holland then made few lightning moves and the Kiwis fell back to defend their citadel and in the process allowed the Dutch to take control of the midfield.

The Dutch created several opening and tested the rival defence which held firm till the 33rd minute. The repeated assault finally led to the collapse of New Zealand defence as in the next minute Weusthof taking advantage of the confusion in the rankis shot home(1-0).

The Dutch sealed the match in their favoure in the first 14 minutes of the second session when they pumped in two more goals.

Taekma converted a penalty corner with his trade mark drag flick in the 40th minute and nine minutes later Weusthof completed the tally when he scored his second and team's third goal off a penalty corner rebound (3-0).

The Kiwis tried hard to reduced the margin and made some sorties into the rival defence but failed to hit the target. They however managed to withstand the Dutch assault and prevented any more goal to be scored against them.

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