News

02-09 Japan defeated by Germany legend Natasha Keller

2010-09-02 11:09:00

Germany legend Natascha KELLER came to the rescue of her team yet again, scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Japan. The veteran goal-scorer was at her brilliant best throughout the match, thoroughly deserving her goal after a sensational individual performance. The result puts Germany level on points with The Netherlands and Australia at the top of Pool A, but sit in third place on goal difference.

After the amazing 19 goals that had been scored in the first two games of the day, a goal-less first half between Germany and Japan may have came as a disappointment to the fans in the stadium, but the contest was not without incident. Despite the lack of goals, the first period saw a number of significant moments, with goalkeepers Kristina REYNOLDS (GER) and Yuka YOSHIKAWA (JPN) coming to the rescue of their respective sides.

The first goal of the match arrived early in the second half courtesy of a low penalty corner flick from Ai MURAKAMI which sailed into the bottom right corner of Kristina REYNOLDS goal. the goal opened up the game, with Germany determined to score an equaliser whilst Japan looked to capitalise on the counter-attack. Eventually though, Germany found an equaliser through a field goal from Maike Stoekel, which gave Germany the momentum to fight for the win. KELLER's winning goal arrived with just nine minutes of the match remaining, smashing a beautiful shot into the corner of the goal from the top of the circle. The final minutes were frantic, but Germany secured their second win of the tournament to stay well in the race for a semi final berth.

Match 12 - Germany v Japan 2-1
> Japan suffered their fourth straight defeat against Germany in World Cup competition.
> Maike Stöckel (GER) added to her two goals scored at the 2006 World Cup.
> Natascha Keller (GER) scored the winning goal like she did in the match against Japan at the 2008 Champions Trophy which Germany also won 2-1.
> Germany joins the Netherlands and Australia at the top in Pool A on six points, leaving Japan, New Zealand and India pointless.

FIH