Defending champions the Netherlands shrugged off a determined Canada 2-0 to enter the semi-finals of the Hero Hockey World League (HWL) Final at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel International Stadium here on Wednesday.
Canada made life extremely difficult for the European champions, who eventually emerge victorious thanks to goals from Constantijn Jonker (25th minute) and Roel Bovendeert (56th).
The Canadians had numerous chances of their own, but could not find a way past Netherlands goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak.
The Netherlands will face the winner of quarter-final meeting between Australia or Germany in the semi-finals, while Canada will play in the 7-8 classification game.
“The Canadians did very well out there, and I am very happy with the win because they had some good opportunities and our goalie was amazing today,” Dutch forward Seve van Ass said in a release.
“They are a tough team and they deserve to be here at the HWL Final, so I am really happy that we won.”