Germans floor the Dutch

Register 4-1 win, top Pool D; Malaysia, Pak play draw

Indervir Grewal in Bhubaneswar


Germany’s Christopher Ruhr falls on the ground as he tries to dribble past Netherlands’ Jorrit Croon during their group stage match in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. AFP

TWO very different rivalries, set apart by thousands of miles, saw two distinct battles fought out on the same day in Bhubaneswar. First up on the blue turf were European big guns Germany and Netherlands. Against all expectations, the neighbours ending up adding another thrilling chapter to their age-old rivalry. It was not expected to be a German night, the two-time champions not being at their best in the last few years, thus slipping to sixth in the world rankings.