Hockey World Cup 2023: South Korea and Germany won their respective crossover events on Monday. The Korean side stunned 2016 Olympic Games champions Argentina in the penalty shootout, while the German team easily overcame France to book their place in the quarter-finals. With this, the names of all the eight teams of the quarter-finals have been confirmed.
The South Koreans, who finished third in Pool B, won 3–2 in the penalty shootout after the two sides were tied 5–5 in regulation time in an entertaining and high-scoring crossover match at the Kalinga Stadium . They rode on an inspired performance from their 38-year-old veteran Zhang Jonghyun, who converted two penalty corners. Experienced captain Lee Nam Yong, 39, was also among the scorers as he scored the equalizer in the 56th minute, while Kim Sungyun (18th) and Jeong Junwoo (20th) scored the other goals for the South Koreans in regulation time. Did it
Nicolas Keenan (21st and 47th minutes) as well as Nicolás Della Torre (24th and 41st minutes) scored twice for Argentina, while Maco Casella (8th minute) scored the second goal in regulation time. South Korea, the only Asian country in the quarter-finals, will take on Pool C toppers the Netherlands on Wednesday. Argentina will play against Chile in their 9th to 16th classification match on January 26 in Rourkela.
Earlier in the day, Germany scored three goals in the second quarter to beat France 5–1 in their crossover match and book a place in the quarter-finals. Marco Miltkau (15th minute) gave Germany the lead with a field goal in the first quarter and scored three goals in the second. Niklas Wellen (19th), Mats Grambusch (23rd) and Moritz Trompertz (25th) scored in the second quarter. Gonzalo Pilat (60th), who had previously represented Argentina, scored a penalty in the last minute of the match. Germany got nine penalty corners and scored two of them.
Germany, second behind defending champions Belgium, will take on Pool D toppers England in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. Francois Goet (57th) was the lone scorer for France, who were eliminated from the tournament as they finished third in Pool A. He also got nine PCs – seven coming in the fourth quarter – of which he scored only once. France will play Pool D bottom-placed Wales in their first 9th to 16th classification match on January 26 in Rourkela.