Robbert Kemperman breaks Korea hearts with just seconds on the clock
Korea came desperately close to ripping up the form book when they held the Netherlands to a draw until the last minute of a pulsating game at the Kyocera Stadium. Korean players slumped in exhaustion to the ground after playing a magnificent part in this hockey spectacle, with just a 69th minute Robbert Kempermann goal separating the teams.
The Netherlands and the orange-clad crowds had been rocked when just four minutes into the final pool B match on day four, Korea had taken an early lead through a thunderous penalty corner from Nam Hyunwoo (4'). The Netherlands had received a warning just seconds earlier when the evenings' man of the moment Kempermann had blocked a shot on the line as it whistled wide of Jaap Stockmann in the Netherlands goal.
Despite numerous attempts by the Netherlands to get back on terms, it was not until 13 minutes later that there was any significant goal-scoring shot. Billy Bakker making a cracking attempt on goal, only to find Lee Myungho in sparkling form in the Korea goal. The Dutchman's shot flew into the goal at mid-height only to be palmed away by Lee Myungho.
The equaliser came after the Korean goalkeeper made a desperate diving save in front of Bakker, only to miss the ball and take the player. Jeroen Hertzberger (21') made no mistake from the spot.
This signalled the start of a torrid 15 minutes for Korea as the home team began to pile on the pressure. Shots whistled in from, among others, Valentin Verga, Constantijn Jonker and Seve van Ass, but they either flew high over the crossbar or were saved by the outstanding Lee Myungho.
The second half began in much the same fashion. The Netherlands playing attacking, exciting and flowing hockey as their players changed position and substituted on and off the pitch seamlessly, but despite the beauty of the Dutch game, there was no solid resulting goal. For their part the Korea team demonstrated that they can compete with anyone when it comes to tenacity and flair. With captain Lee Seungil playing a creative role in the centre of the pitch and Lee Namyong and Kim Youngjin pressurising every ball that entered the Netherland's defensive end, the men in Orange were unable to concentrate fully on chasing the winner.
When they did make one of many, many incursions into he Korean defence they found an impenetrable wall protecting the goal. The Netherlands goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann said: "We knew that they would defend like that, so it was important that we concentrated fully on our defence, because they are quick and always posed a threat on the counter-break. I can't tell you – phew – I was so pleased to see that goal go in."
Just seconds before Kempermann's game clincher, You Hyosik had a chance to wrap the game up when he received the ball with only Stockmann to beat, but the big man was able to get low and keep the ball from the net. This proved the pivotal point as the clearance found Robbert Kemperman. He took the ball into the circle at the other end and with a nifty turn was able to lose his player and slam the ball home to secure the game and three points. The Netherlands have six point from two games, while Korea are still chasing their first points in the World Cup.
Official Match Report (PDF)
