The Hague: India suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss to defending champions Australia in their final group league encounter of the Men’s Hockey World Cup, here on Monday.
Asserting their strength, Australia built up a four-goal lead in the initial 22 minutes, before the Indians managed to re-group themselves and put up a stronger defence, thereby denying the fancied rivals a chance of scoring more goals.
Kieran Govers opened the scoring with a field goal in the 27th minute. It was followed by three penalty corner strikers – two by Chris Ciriello and one by Jeremy Hayward. Australia topped Group A with a maximum 15 points from five successive victories.
The Aussie players are on course to have another crack at the title as a present to their coach Ric Charlesworth, for whom this will be the last World Cup as he retires later this year.
India finished their five pool matches with four points, gained from a victory over Malaysia and a draw with Spain.
India now await the result of the Spain-Malaysia result scheduled for late on Monday (after going to press) to know whether they finish fourth or fifth in the group. Spain have two points from four matches, while Malaysia have lost all of their four games.
A draw or a Malaysian victory will help India finish in fourth spot in the group and then play for the seventh and eighth spots.
A Spanish victory will relegate India to fifth spot in the pool, making them play for the ninth and 10th positions.
India managed to mount a few raids, but the defence also regrouped and put up a stiffer challenge for the rival strikers.
Meanwhile, Olympic silver medallists and hosts Netherlands stormed into the semifinals with a runaway 7-1 victory over South Africa late on Sunday night.
The three-time World Cup winners thus claimed top spot in Group B with 12 points from four successive victories.
Netherlands are virtually assured of the top spot in the pool irrespective of the result of their last league outing against New Zealand, because of their massive goal difference.
Dutch, Aus women in WC semis
Meanwhile, Olympic champions Netherlands and Australia booked their places in the semifinals of the women’s Hockey World Cup, which is being run simultaneously.
The Netherlands topped Group A with an all-win record from five games, logging 15 points after posting a 3-0 victory over South Korea at the Kyocera Stadium on Monday.
The Netherlands’ victory also ensured Australia entered the semifinals despite being held goalless by New Zealand earlier in the day.
Australia’s inability to defeat New Zealand opened the possibility for South Korea clinching a victory against the hosts and finishing ahead of Australia on goal-difference.
Australia finished with 10 points, but the Korean defeat meant that they finished on seven points. (PTI)