Germany beat Pakistan to win Champions Trophy

Published December 14, 2014
Germany hockey team captain Moritz Furste (2nd L) lifts the trophy as teammates cheer after defeating Pakistan during their Champions Trophy 2014 final match in Bhubaneswar.-AFP Photo
Germany hockey team captain Moritz Furste (2nd L) lifts the trophy as teammates cheer after defeating Pakistan during their Champions Trophy 2014 final match in Bhubaneswar.-AFP Photo

BHUBANESWAR: Germany beat Pakistan 2-0 on Sunday to win the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar for the 10th time.

Chris Wesley opened the scoring in the 18th minute following a penalty corner before Florian Fuchs banged in the second goal three minutes before the final whistle.

Pakistan had two players banned for the final and one reprimanded by the International Hockey Federation for making obscene gestures at the crowd after their 4-3 win over hosts India in Saturday's semi-final.

But the South Asians, looking for their first major world title since 1994, kept the rampaging Germans at bay for a major part of the 60-minute match played under floodlights.

The closest Pakistan came to scoring was early in the fourth quarter when a loose ball from the left caught the Germans on the wrong foot, but Muhammad Bhutta was unable to slot the ball in.

German captain Moritz Furste, one of only two surviving members of the triumphant 2007 squad along with Tobias Hauke, said he was delighted at the progress of his young team.

“They came here to learn what top-level hockey is all about, so this is an absolutely brilliant result,” said Furste, who was named the player of the tournament.

“Ours was a good mix of youth and experience and I think we played really well in the knock-out matches. This bodes well for the Olympics which is just two years away.”

'Defeat will hurt entire sub-continent'

Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh, who had walked out of the post-match press conference on Saturday after being pestered by Indian reporters about the behaviour of his players, praised his team after the final.

“I am proud of my boys,” the former international said. “After a tough year both on and off the field, we did well to reach the final when our aim had been to finish among the top four.

“This defeat will not only hurt us but the entire sub-continent because both India and Pakistan need to catch up with the Europeans quickly.”

Pakistan had failed to qualify for the World Cup in June that was won by Australia and were also unable to book a direct entry to the 2016 Olympics after losing to India in the Asian Games final in South Korea in October.

With the cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation unable to generate funds to fly in the team to Bhubaneswar, it needed the generosity of a businessman at home to sponsor the trip.

Finishing third were Australia, who came into the tournament as five-time defending champions. They defeated India 2-1 for the bronze medal.

“I am pleased, but not satisfied,” Australian coach Graham Reid said.

“We played tighter and better as the tournament progressed. Considering this was a learning curve, we've achieved a lot.

“But obviously we missed not being in the final,” he added.

The Kookaburras were without veterans Liam de Young and Rob Hammond, who retired after the World Cup in June, and five-time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles, who were both injured.

In the day's other matches, the Netherlands took fifth place after beating Argentina 4-1 and England nudged ahead of Belgium 3-2 to finish seventh.

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