Germans survive late Black Sticks Onslaught

Germany opened up their first group game in the Champions Trophy with a 3-2 victory over the Black Sticks. This match continued the high scoring clashes as at the 2012 Olympics these two sides drew 5-5. Germany side was very different from the Olympics with many new and young players in the squad and this inexperience caused a tense second half as they got penned back. The opening salvo was fired by Germany who scored from a penalty corner, Tobias Mantania flicked in to the far corner after only 20 seconds. Following this the All Blacks monopolised possession creating numerous chances but either a lack of control in the attacking circle or miss controls in the 23 meant that NZ could not create any clear cut chances. As the 1st half wore on, the Germans sat and soaked up the All Blacks pressure and were content to break at pace and with numbers. Germanys next two goals came from open play. 18 year-old Jan Christopher Ruehr making his international debut scored the second with a low shot fired in to the bottom right hand corner after twenty minutes. Germany third arrived after a misplace pass in NZ 23 and Oliver Korn rifled home the third two minutes later. After this, Germany controlled possession, leaving the black sticks to fire long balls down the channels. The Second half started in a similar pattern, Germany monopolising possession black stick bereft of ideas. A tactical switch by the Black sticks altered the pattern of the game. They switched to three up front to put pressure on the young German defence and to stop them spraying the ball round to set up counter attacks. This began to work and Black sticks first goal came from a referred penalty corner. This was their first penalty corner of the game and Matt LHuilier scored with a low hard shot in the bottom right hand corner, despite Jacobi getting a stick to it. In NZ next attack another video referral decision gave NZ another chance, but LHuilier had been subbed, and Jacobi saved putting the ball onto the post before going wide. Nicholas Wilson spurned a golden opportunity shortly after, when one on one, fired the ball straight at Jacobi who saved the shot with his helmet. Wilson scored on the break with his next chance setting up a tense final 5 minutes. But Germany saw out the remainder of the game, showing why they are the reigning Olympic and #1 team in the world, with resolute defending and efficiency in the attacking circle.