The semi-final line-up at the FIH Hockey World Cup is complete after Argentina and the Netherlands secured the final two spots in the men’s competition, while Belgium booked the last remaining place in the women’s semi-finals.
Argentina edge India in five-goal thriller:
Argentina secured their place in the men’s last four with a 5-3 victory over India in a must-win encounter.
Joaquin Toscani gave Argentina a dream start, finding the net just 39 seconds into the match. Nicolas della Torre then doubled the lead from a penalty corner before India responded through Sukhjeet Singh in the 10th minute.
Argentina regained control in the third quarter when Tomas Domene restored their two-goal advantage. Domene struck again from a penalty stroke after an Indian defensive error, before Lucas Toscani made it 5-1 in the 53rd minute.
India mounted a late fightback, with Sukhjeet scoring his second goal in the 58th minute before Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke with just 36 seconds remaining. Argentina, however, held on comfortably to secure the crucial victory.
Netherlands hold England to reach semi-finals:
The Netherlands needed only a draw against England and delivered a 2-2 result in a thrilling encounter.
England, who needed a two-goal victory to overhaul Argentina on goal difference, made the perfect start when Stuart Rushmere put them ahead in the sixth minute following a pass from Zach Wallace.
The Dutch levelled shortly before half-time through Jip Janssen, who converted their only penalty corner of the match.
Thierry Brinkman then put the Netherlands ahead just two minutes into the second half. England refused to give up and Henry Croft equalised from a penalty corner in the 48th minute.
The English side pushed hard for the additional goals they needed, but the Dutch defence stood firm to secure the point that sent them through as pool winners.
Joep de Mol was named Player of the Match.
“It was a good game. There was a lot of tension, but I think we did well. We stayed composed and got a point, which was enough to top the group,” he said.
Belgium complete women’s semi-final line-up:
Belgium secured the final women’s semi-final berth despite being held to a goalless draw by already-qualified Argentina.
The result was enough to confirm Belgium’s place in the last four, while Argentina finished top of the pool and avoided a semi-final meeting with defending champions the Netherlands.
Neither side could find a breakthrough during a tightly contested opening three quarters. Belgium increased the pressure in the final period and earned several penalty corners, but Argentina’s defence successfully kept the hosts at bay.
Emma Puvrez was named Player of the Match for Belgium.
“The first quarter was a little bit difficult, then I think in the second half we were getting better and better and creating more chances. It’s tough we couldn’t score the goal, but it gives a lot of confidence for the next game,” she said.
Germany stun Spain:
Spain’s women needed a victory to remain in semi-final contention but were comfortably beaten 4-1 by Germany.
Lynn Krings opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Sara Strauss doubled Germany’s lead in the 14th minute.
Spain goalkeeper Clara Perez produced several outstanding saves to keep her side in the contest. Xantal Giné eventually pulled one back from a penalty stroke in the 41st minute.
Germany responded almost immediately, with Jette Fleschütz scoring in her 100th international appearance. Lena Micheel then completed the scoring on the counter-attack to seal a convincing victory.
New Zealand men secure ninth-place playoff:
In the lower-ranked men’s matches, New Zealand defeated Pakistan 4-2 to earn a place in the ninth-place playoff against Ireland.
Dylan Thomas opened the scoring after just 22 seconds, while Scott Boyde and George Baker extended New Zealand’s advantage to 3-0.
Pakistan fought back in the third quarter through penalty-corner goals from Sufyan Khan and Afraz, but Kane Russell restored New Zealand’s two-goal cushion in the 49th minute.
Japan also secured a place in the 13th-place playoff after edging Wales 3-2.
Shota Yamada and Kosei Kawabe gave Japan a two-goal lead before Wales responded through Jacob Draper. Kazumasa Matsumoto restored Japan’s advantage with an empty-net goal, and although Sam Welsh scored with 34 seconds remaining, Japan held on for victory.
USA earn women’s ninth-place playoff spot:
The United States defeated Ireland 3-1 to secure a place in the women’s ninth-place playoff.
Niamh Carey gave Ireland the lead in the 13th minute before Lucy Adams equalised just before half-time.
Mia Schoenbeck then put the USA ahead from a penalty corner in the 42nd minute. Abigail Tamer added a third in the 52nd minute after a superb run into the circle by 17-year-old Reese D’Ariano.
Scotland also came from behind to defeat New Zealand 2-1, securing back-to-back World Cup victories for the first time since 1998.
Brittany Wang put New Zealand ahead in the 23rd minute, but Fiona Burnett equalised three minutes later. Heather McEwan then scored with just 19 seconds remaining in the third quarter to complete Scotland’s comeback.
Scotland will face Japan for 11th place.
(Inputs from Hockey India)
