New Delhi: Holland outplayed a hapless New Zealand 7-2 in a lopsided final to clinch the first edition of the Hero Hockey World League Final at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Saturday.
The Dutch toyed with the Kiwi defence with man of the match Constantijn Jonker (17th, 35th, 61st minutes) clinching a hat-trick. Billy Bakker (23rd, 59th), Bob de Voogd (36th) and Rogier Hofman (45th) also found their names on the scoresheet. Steve Edwards (37th, 52nd) struck a brace for New Zealand. Holland virtually sealed the issue in the first half itself as goals from Jonker and Bakker saw them race to a 3-0 lead.
The second half started in spectacular fashion as de Voogd scored his team’s fourth goal before Steve Edwards (37th) pulled one back for New Zealand a minute later. Rogier Hofman (45th) drilled in a powerful shot from the top of the penalty circle to make it 5-1 in favour of Holland.
The Kiwis continued to fightback with Edwards (52nd) scoring their second goal. But any faint hopes of a New Zealand comeback were soon squashed as Bakker and Jonker struck two quick goals to put the issue behind their reach.
Earlier, India suffered a heartbreaking 1-2 loss at the hands of Belgium in the play-off for fifth place.
Nikkin Thimmiah (59th) had put the hosts ahead late in the second half. But Belgium silenced the noisy partisan crowd by scoring twice in two minutes right at the end thanks to Florent van Aubel (67th) and Tom Boon (68th, PC). India survived a few close calls during a goalless opening half that saw Belgium spurn a couple of good chances.
