The second edition of World Cup Hockey was played at Amsterdam in 1973. Holland became the second country to win the World Cup after beating India via a tie breaker in the final. The two teams finished 2-2 after extra time. The Holland won the tie breaker 4-1 and the World Cup. Nico Spits was the captain of the Dutch team.
Twelve teams featured in this edition. Malaysia, New Zealand, England and Belgium made their first appearance. New Zealand took Australia’s place, having edged them out in the Oceania competition. The tournament was to see the rise of Europe and the fall of Asia in World hockey.
As in the first World Cup in 1971, India and Pakistan were destined to meet in the semi-finals. This time, however, the result was in India’s favour. Centre forward Bilimoga Puttaswamy Govinda dribbled through a host of defenders in the 62nd minute to beat Pakistani ‘keeper Munir Pervez and give India a place in the final.
In the other semi-final, the Netherlands beat West Germany 4-2 on penalty strokes after the teams were locked goalless at the end of extra-time.
The final between India and Holland was a classic. The Dutch were off to a whirlwind start within five minutes when their penalty-corner expert, Ties Kruize, converted one. India responded in similar fashion, with their own penalty-corner expert Surjeet Singh scoring twice. But Kruize equalized from another penalty corner. The match ended 2-2 after 70 minutes and extra-time was played.
With 31 seconds to go, India had a chance to clinch the title. They were awarded a penalty stroke. After much deliberation, it was decided that Govinda should take the stroke despite him having missed one in the 0-0 draw with West Germany in the league stage. He stepped up and pushed. Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Sikking brought off a remarkable save. Then came the tie-breaker. Govinda failed again, and so did Harcharan Singh. The Netherlands converted their first four strokes to win 4-2.
In the battle for third place, West Germany scraped past Pakistan 1-0.
The tournament will be remembered for Sikking’s goalkeeping. If Holland won the title, it was because of him. He was just too good in the tiebreakers, in the semi-final against West Germany and in the final against India.
As many as 127 goals were scored in 42 matches at 3.00 goals per match. Holland’s Ties Kruize was the top scorer in the tournament, with 11 goals.
FINAL STANDING IN 1973:
Country P W D L GF GA Success%
1. Holland 7 5 1 1 13 6 78.57
2. India 7 4 2 1 15 3 71.42
3. Germany 7 5 1 1 7 2 78.57
4. Pakistan 7 4 1 2 16 7 64.28
5. Spain 7 5 – 2 17 5 71.42
6. England 7 2 2 3 11 11 42.85
7. New Zealand 7 2 2 3 16 11 42.85
8. Belgium 7 2 – 5 9 20 29.57
9. Argentina 7 2 3 2 6 10 50.00
10. Japan 7 1 1 5 5 21 21.42
11.Malaysia 7 2 1 4 6 14 35.71
12. Kenya 7 – 2 5 6 17 14.28
TRIVIA:
** Defending champions Pakistan were forced to field their second eleven in 1973 World Cup following the suspension of the team for unsporting behaviour during the medal ceremony at the 1972 Munich Olympics final, which they lost 0-1 to West Germany. The life ban was revoked in 1974 after an apology from the highest level and the 13 players in the Olympics final were banned for two years.
It was not exactly Pakistan's b team which participated in the world cup 1973. They brought celeberated right wing and former captain Khalid Mahmood in the team, Tanvir Dar who was unfit and injured in 1972 was better and played the whole tournament and was the highest scorer until the knock out league started. Azam who played few international tournaments was inside right and Samiullah was in the team and was with the 1971 world cup team. Also Manzoor Sr. and Manzoor Jr. played in this tournament. Couple of veteran players were brought in to blend with the youth, fro example like Laeeq. Hidyat ullah who is Samiullah's brother was also in the team. So, on the whole the team was not all that behind other teams, but it just did not win the semi final and third place game. Too little time to put togeteher for such a prestigious tournament with top 20 players not available due to suspension.
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