Ireland crashed out of the Men’s Hockey World Cup after losing 2-4 to England, handing China a ‘lucky’ berth in the knockout stages despite being crushed 0-11 by two-time holder Australia here on Friday.
Australia’s Dylan Wotherspoon (right) controls the ball during play against China
Bhubaneswar:
The last round Pool B engagements concluded. Australia topped the pool with an all-win record after thrashing lowly China in a lop-sided affair and remained on course for a hat-trick of titles.
After managing to hold Australia initially, the floodgates opened in the 10th minute and there was no stopping the Kookaburras thereafter. Blake Govers (10th, 19th, 34th minutes) scored a hat-trick, while young Tim Brand (33rd, 55th) accounted for two goals. Aran Zalewski (15th), Tom Craig (16th), Jeremy Hayward (22nd), Jake Whetton (29th), Dylan Wotherspoon (38th) and Flynn Ogilive (49th) were the other goal getters for Australia. The Aussies accumulated nine points from three games and secured a direct entry into the quarter-finals while England finished second on four points and China (two points) scrapped through by securing the third spot with two draws. Despite the heavy loss, China made it to the cross-overs, courtesy England’s win over Ireland.
In the cross-overs, China will take on France on December 10, while England will face New Zealand the same day.