Germany registered an impressive 7-2 win over South Korea but they failed to get a direct entry to the quarterfinals of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, here on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After this result, Germany will now head to the crossovers from Pool B along with South Korea<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the final game of the day, which was also the last game of the pool stages, Germany needed a win by 9 goals to overtake Belgium in the Pool B standings and claim direct entry into the quarterfinals, but against an in-from South Korea team it proved to be too big a mountain to climb for the Honamas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Germany did start the game brightly, scoring in the second minute of the game, through Niklas Wellen, but by the end of the first quarter Korea had pulled a goal back to keep the scores level.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wellen, who is in red-hot scoring form, gave Germany their lead back before their half-time, but with just a 1-goal lead halfway through the game, German hopes of topping the group were rapidly fading.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The second half started frantically as both teams traded end to end counter-attacks. Korea had the best chance in the 32nd minute with Junwoo Jeong finding shooting space in the German circle, but his venomous hit sailed inches over the goal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wellen increased the German lead completing his hat-trick in 41st minute and Gonzalo Peillat added another for the Honamas in the 43rd minute from their 6th penalty corner of the day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 4th quarter saw Germany overrun Korea in attack, scoring thrice in the first 7 minutes, but Korea retreated into their defence as German attempts at overtaking Belgium fell narrowly short. Korea added a second goal in the final minute as they won a penalty corner while the Germans had subbed their keeper out for an outfield player.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hat-trick hero Niklas Wellen was awarded player of the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We knew how many goals we needed to finish top of the group, and we fell short by a couple of goals, but 2 wins and a draw from the three pool stage matches is a very good result for us on the whole," Wellen said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hat-trick hero Niklas Wellen was awarded player of the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n