Junior Hockey: Netherlands win bronze medal playoff against Malaysia

The Netherlands drubbed Malaysia 7-2 to win the bronze medal playoff match of the Hockey Junior World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Sunday.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand beat South Korea 4-2 in the 7-8th position playoff while Australia beat Belgium 3-2 for fifth place in a penalty shoot-out after the scores were tied 2-2 at regulation time.

The Netherlands drew first blood in the third minute when their captain Roel Bovendeert progressed along the back line, attempted a high shot and batted in a goal after a rebound from the goalkeeper.

The Dutch did not waste any time and added another goal three minutes later by Thierry Brinkman. Malaysia immediately responded with a penalty corner goal.

The Netherlands took control of midfield and made the Malaysians run after their long passes. In the 18th minute, Tom Hiebendaal found the ball in the goalmouth and pushed it in.

The Netherlands increased their lead to 4-1 in the 23rd minute with Milan Van Baal's deflection into the target. Brinkman soon scored his second goal and down 1-5 going into the break, the road ahead seemed steep for Malaysia.

Hiebendaal scored his second goal in the 37th minute and their final one by Jelle Galema, with still 18 minutes to go in the game.

Malaysia pulled back a goal on another penalty corner but the Netherlands cruised to a clean win for the bronze, leaving Malaysia on fourth.