The match for the Bronze Medals was between two teams that started well the competition in Delhi, but fizzled in their last games: England won 4 in a row before losing to Spain (0-2) then Germany in semi-final (1-4), while The Netherlands won their first three matches then drew with Germany (2-2), lost to Korea (1-2) and to Australia in semi-final (1-2), their longest non-winning streak in the World Cup since 1982.

This was the seventh game in two weeks for both teams and play started tentatively in the afternoon heat. England forced a penalty-corner but Ashley JACKSON, officiating since the injury to usual striker Richard MANTELL, could not slot his flick passed the Dutch runners. England had another chance by Barry MIDDLETON, very active in the attacking zone, however Guus VOGELS in the Dutch goal was never in real danger until the 11th minute when Richard ALEXANDER arrived alone in front of him and VOGELS needed to commit and meet him at the top of the circle.

The Dutch thought that they had opened the scoring in the 14th minute by Rogier HOFMAN, pouncing on an innocuous ball crossing the circle and eluding the English defenders, but the goal was denied after a referral to the video-umpire. England had three more penalty-corners in a row and tried unsuccessfully various options, with two of them stopped on the line by Geert-Jan DERIKX. The Netherlands finally took the lead in the 22nd minute by Teun DE NOOIJER, at the conclusion of an impressive penetration by Robert VAN DER HORST, but they had not finished celebrating that England was back level by Alastair BROGDON!

England finally scored on their 5th and 6th penalty-corners, Ashley JACKSON propelling first a low flick then a high one through the Dutch defense to establish a substantial two-goal lead going into half-time. The Netherlands of course immediately pushed forwards in second period, creating some good chances including a golden one for DE NOOIJER, alone in front of goal with the English defense in disarray but propelling his shot high in the crowd. England needed to work harder for a while after a yellow card to Alastair WILSON; they absorbed the pressure well until the 48th minute, when Taeke TAEKEMA reduced the Dutch deficit on penalty-corner, becoming in the process the second highest scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals.

The European Champions were going through a rough patch, struggling to contain the orange attacking waves and Klaas VERMEULEN finally tied the game with a ball from close range deflected by a defender out of reach of James FAIR in the English goal. The Dutch momentum was briefly affected by two green cards, giving a chance to Barry MIDDLETON to threaten Guus VOGELS, but the ball was soon monopolized again by the Dutch. They could not however find any space in the crowded circle and the score was still tied with five minutes to go. It took a desperate effort by Rogier HOFMAN in the 67th minute, pouncing on a ball mishandled by the English defense and finding some space to slot it in goal, to decide the game.

Soon the Dutch were celebrating their Bronze Medal, while the English were lying exhausted across the field, dejected to have let their half time lead slip away.

Match Facts (England v. Netherlands):
> Netherland claimed the bronze medal, beating England 4-3 as they did in their pool match at the 2006 World Cup.
> This is Holland’s best World Cup result on 8 years, since winning bronze in 2002.
> Netherlands are now on 7 World Cup medals, Germany and Australia will collect their 8th medal this tournament.
> England finish 4th, their best World Cup ranking since winning silver in 1986.
> Dutch captain Teun de Nooijer (1G-1S-2B) has equalled the record for most World Cup medals collecting his 4th medal in the competition. He joins Pakistan’s Akhtar Rasool (3G-1S-0B) (1971-1982).
> Taeke Taekema (NED) scored once to equal Ties Kruize’s total of 21 World Cup goals. Only all-time WC top scorer Paul Litjens (NED) has scored more WC goals (26 goals).
> Taekema has scored 8 goals at Delhi 2010.
> Ashley Jackson scored two PC goals to lift his Delhi 2010 total to 7 goals.
> England have lost their last three WC matches at Delhi 2010 going down to Spain (2-0), Germany (4-1) and Netherlands (4-3).