New Delhi: Australia scored two second half goals to beat France 2-0 and end their pool engagements on an unbeaten note in the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup here on Monday.
By virtue of three wins from as many games, Australia finished on top of Pool B with nine points ahead of second-placed France, who have six points in their kitty.
Australia will now take on the second placed team in Pool B in the quarterfinals on Thursday, while France, who have qualified for the quarterfinals for the first time since 1985, will be up against Pool A toppers.
Except for pool standings, the match between Australia and France hardly had any significance as both the teams had already qualified for the knock-out phase ahead of Monday’s game.
Meanwhile, in Pool D, an impressive Malaysia scored two goals on either side of the break to shut the door on England with a 4-2 win in their last league encounter.
The win also enabled Malaysians to finish on top of Group D followed by New Zealand who beat South Africa by a solitary goal.
Malaysia, who were already assured of a place in the knock-out phase ahead of today’s encounter, will now face the second-placed team from Pool C, which would be either India or hosts Korea, in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
New Zealand in all likelihood will play Netherlands on Thursday. (PTI)
