Hockey World Cup 2018: Reliving 5 of the greatest matches

#1 Australia vs The Netherlands (Semifinal)

Australia v Netherlands - two old rivals produce another classic

It was touted to be a contest worthy of a summit clash - which indeed it was - but the repeat of the 2014 World Cup final was quite unlike the one-sided clash at the Hague where Chris Ciriello had sunk the Dutch with one of the most lethal PC hattricks ever.

The Kookaburras began in right earnest, as they always do, but were simply not prepared for the Dutch returning the fire with just as much gusto.

Glenn Schuurman gave Max Caldas reason to smile by finding the opening goal while Seve van Ass' effort in the twentieth minute pegged the world champions back like never before in the tournament (or indeed, in conscious memory).

An inspired Pirmin Blaak in the Dutch goal displayed his split-second reflexes to deny the Aussie strikers until Tim Howard gave the two-time defending champions a lifeline by scoring one off a fantastic PC routine.

A nerve-wracking final quarter kept the spectators glued to the action and Eddie Ockenden found a near-unbelievable equalizer with twenty seconds to go for the end of regulation time with both teams level at two goals apiece.

The Dutch began the shootout well, but the Aussies closed in forcing a sudden death tie-breaker, and Daniel Beale failed to score after Hertzberger did to power the Netherlands to their second successive World Cup final.

The two age-old rivals have played many unforgettable matches over the years but the quarterfinal of Odisha 2014 would be one the Aussies would typically remember as a ripsnorter of a contest.