Melbourne: England pulled off a stunning upset by hammering Olympic champions Germany 4-1 in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament here Sunday, in an encounter that featured two self-goals. Four-time defending champions Australia were held to a goalless draw by Olympic silver medalists Netherlands, while Pakistan scored twice in the second session to prevail 2-0 over Belgium.
The victory for England, six of whose players played their maiden international games yesterday in the 1-3 loss to India, was their first against Germany in Champions Trophy. The Germans played with 10 men for the last 15 minutes after Niklas Grell was sent off following his second yellow card of the match, which automatically got converted into a red card. Trailing by two goals and one player short on the pitch, this marked the end of Germany's comeback hopes.
Both England and Germany have included several youngsters in their teams for this tournament, but the Germans were surprised to be trailing from the sixth minute of the game when Adam Dixon opened the account for England with a flash strike for only his third international goal. Four minutes later, Harry Martin increased the English lead by applying the finishing touch to a fine move.
Germany benefitted from an own-goal by England in the 14th minute, reducing the lead. Self goals have been allowed in world hockey only after the Olympic Games. Another self-goal, this time at the German end of the pitch, in the 33rd minute gave England a 3-1
01:43 PM, Dec 02, 2012
