Hockey World Cup 2023, Crossovers Round-up: Germany, South Korea emerge victorious, enter quarterfinals

Hockey World Cup 2023: The crossovers continued on Monday, as Germany took on France and hammered the latter 5-1, while South Korea edged past Argentina 3-2 on penalties to enter the quarterfinals.

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The 2023 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup continues with the crossovers stage, as matches for the same were held on Monday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. The opening game was between Germany and France, as the former pummelled the latter 5-1, sealing its place in the quarterfinal while knocking the opponent out of the event. It all began in the 15th minute, with Marco Miltkau netting the opener for the Germans, followed by Niklas Wellen four minutes later and skipper Mats Grambusch in the 24th. The next minute, Moritz Trompertz fired in the fourth through a penalty corner before François Goyet converted a PC for the French in the 58th, which was its consolation goal.

Germany sealed the conquest in style, as Gonzalo Peillat scored the ultimate winner through a PC a couple of minutes later, at the stoppage time. It would not be taking in England in the quarters on Wednesday, where France takes on Wales in the Classification round on Thursday.

In the other crossover match of the day, Argentina was up against South Korea, which turned out to be an intensely-fought game. It all ended 5-5 at the regulation time. While Maico Casella (8th), Nicolas Keenan (21st and 47th) and Nicolas della Torre (24th and 41st) scored for the Argentines, Sunghyun Kim (18th), Junwoo Geong (20th), Jonghyun Jang (41st and 50th) and skipper Nam Yong Lee (56th) netted for the Koreans.

As things moved into the shootout, Keenan and Casella scored for Argentina, while Tomas Domene, Lucas Toscani and Martin Ferreiro missed their chances. As for Korea, Taeil Hwang was the only lad to miss his attempt, whereas Lee, Woo Cheon Ji and Manjae Jung found the back of the net, sending them into the quarters, where it would be taking on the Netherlands on Wednesday at the same venue. In contrast, the Argentines play Chile on Thursday in the Classifications.