England rally to down Korea

Recent world events made the men's Champions Trophy hockey tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, impractical. But it is a remarkable achievement by the Dutch that at just five weeks notice they have managed to put on a show that promises to continue the long list of successful hockey events staged in this hockey-mad country.

The Rotterdam club is a remarkable new venue. With a five-star clubhouse and seven (yes seven!) artificial pitches at their disposal they have some advantages, but as in the Sydney Games and the recent Womens’ Champions Trophy in Amsterdam it is the human input and element that makes a tournament.

Off the field the Dutch have an organization as smooth running as blades on ice. In a family of sponsors they enjoy unrivalled support and their crowds show that the appetite for top hockey is still strong.

Just how many of the crowd would have guessed at the start of play that England would head the table at the end of day one is anyones' guess. But that is how it is after the England team came back from 1-3 down against Korea to win 4-3 with a David Mathews hat-trick in a frenetic second half.

This must count as one of England’s best results in recent history.

The Dutch took on Pakistan in the second match and the teams cancelled each other out in a draw that just about reflected the game, although the Pakistani 'keeper will seldom play better.

The Netherlands took the lead from a defelected penalty-corner by Taeke Taekema in the ninth minute. Sohail Abbas equalised for Pakistan in the 27th minute froma penalty-corner.

In the final match of the day Germany came back from a goal deficit to get past Australia 2-1.

A typically flamboyant Oliver Domke strike and a Florian Kuntz penalty-stroke eroded the lead that the impressive Australian striker Jeremy Hiskins had earned for his first half efforts.

It's always dangerous to judge a tournament after the first series of matches but one thing is already certain: there is little clear ground between these teams all of whom are to a greater or lesser degree in transition from Sydney. With all teams under new coaching influence, Rotterrdam promises to be a steep and valued learning curve for all.

FIH media release

Complete Coverage: 23rd Men's Champions Trophy 2001