Hosts Belgium denied by Spain as semifinal line-up takes shape

Germany’s men earned an important win while a draw was enough for both Spain’s men and Australia’s women to book their places in the semifinals of the FIH Hockey World Cup on Sunday, while there was heartbreak for hosts Belgium and Australia's men and China and India’s women.

India needed a win while a draw was enough for Australia’s women to reach the semifinals, and the Hockeyroos got the job done in a goalless encounter.

The Australians thought they had taken the lead in the opening quarter, but the goal was disallowed on review.

They continued to dominate, however, with India failing to register a single shot on goal in the first half. By the end of the match, the count of shots on goal was 13-1 in Australia’s favour.

The Hockeyroos again thought they had scored from a penalty corner with six minutes remaining in the third quarter, only for the goal to be disallowed.

But it didn’t matter in the end as the 2022 bronze medallists held on for the point they needed to reach the final four.

Australia’s Lucy Sharman was named as Player of the Match and said afterwards: “It’s pretty surreal, honestly. Bit of a tough game, but we got the job done, so feeling really happy, really proud… We're going to fight to the end and believe in ourselves. It’s going to be tough, but all the games here are going to be tough. So, we're ready for the fight.”

GERMANS FIGHT BACK AGAINST AUSSIES

Defending champions Germany came back from a goal down against the Australian men to win 4-2 and secure their semifinal spot.

The Australians made the perfect start when Blake Govers put them ahead in the third minute, but Germany quickly turned the game around with three goals in eight minutes to take control.

The Kookaburras fought back before the break, with Joel Rintala producing a stunning lifted finish to cut the deficit to 3-2 at half-time. Germany’s fourth came off a great passage of play in the 40^th minute, with a spinning Hugo von Montgelas adding the final touch needed to slot it in under the outstretched keeper’s arm.

An outstanding effort from the German defence then ensured the Kookaburras were kept out for the remainder of the game to wrap up a convincing win to also knock the former champions out of contention.

SPAIN STUN BELGIUM

Meanwhile, hosts Belgium found themselves in a must-win clash against Spain’s men, who just needed a draw to progress.

It started well for the Belgians when Arthur van Dooren fired them in front in the fourth minute of the match.

A Tom Boon goal was disallowed not long after, and he was also denied off the post later in the half. Spain created plenty of chances, but the Belgians held on to their 1-0 lead at half-time, thanks to some excellent work from Vincent Vanasch in goal and Victor Wegnez on their penalty corner defence.

Spain finally found the back of the net in the fourth quarter with captain Marc Miralles scoring from a penalty corner in the 46^th minute, sending the home crowd to the edge of their seats.

But even their deafening roar couldn’t spur the home side to victory as Spain’s defence was immense in the final minutes.

They held on for the all-important point to book a spot in the final four for the first time since 2006 while the Red Lions were left devastated.

An elated Spanish Player of the Match, Marc Vizcaino, said: “It's amazing. Also with this atmosphere, it's even more amazing. We came here for one thing, which was to win every game. And I think we did it right now. We're in the semifinal. That's the spot we want to be. So, of course it's really good to be here after so many years, but we're not stopping here, we're now going for the next game.”

DUTCH ROUT CHINA

In other action – they may already have secured their semifinal spot, but there was no taking their foot off the gas for the Netherlands as they routed China 4-1, with all five goals coming in the first half.

It was a particularly memorable game for Xan de Waard and Freeke Moes, who earned their 250^th and 100^th caps respectively.

Moes marked the occasion by opening the scoring with a penalty-corner variation that deflected off a Chinese defender.

Felice Albers then found space in the middle of the D to fire home the Netherlands’ second, before Joosje Burg added a third with a diving finish at the far post.

China pulled one back when Ying Zhang converted from their first penalty corner, but Marijn Veen quickly restored the Netherlands’ three-goal lead by stealing the ball in the circle and slotting it in.

The Chinese were unable to find a way back in the second half, ending their hopes of reaching the semifinals.

FIRST WIN FOR SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN

In the earlier matches for the lower-placed sides, South Africa came from a goal down to beat Chile 3-2 and secure their first win of the tournament.

Chile struck first from a penalty corner, but Edith Molikoe’s superb finish from the top of the circle levelled the scores before Ntsopa Mokoena put South Africa ahead after pouncing on a rebound.

A Kayla de Waal cross then found Caylin Maree, who popped it up into goal for South Africa’s third. Despite Chile pulling one back late on through Simone Avelli, the South Africans held firm to claim the win.

SA MEN AND MALAYSIA SHARE THE SPOILS

Malaysia scored in the final 10 seconds to pull off a 3-3 draw with South Africa, whose ill-discipline meant they played 16 minutes of the match a player down.

The Malaysians took the lead before Luke Wynford equalised early in the second quarter.

Abu Kamal Azrai then restored Malaysia’s lead, but Nick Spooner levelled again before an exceptional solo effort from Mustapha Cassiem put the South Africans 3-2 ahead.

South Africa looked set for the win, but a late mis-trap by Sam Mvimbi allowed Faizal Saari to fire home his 290^th international goal in the dying seconds.

WINS FOR ENGLAND AND FRANCE

England’s women kept their quest for a ninth-place finish on track with a 3-2 win over Japan.

They dominated the game, registering 24 shots on goal to Japan’s five, and took the lead in the second minute through Alice Atkinson’s first senior international goal.

The English doubled their advantage six minutes later before Japan pulled one back. But another English goal restored their two-goal cushion as they reached half-time 3-1 ahead.

Emi Nichikori scored again for Japan in the 38^th minute, but England had done enough to hold on for the win.

France claimed their first win of the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Ireland. An evenly contested first half produced few chances and ended goalless.

Despite France dominating the stats, Ireland took the lead through Jeremy Duncan in the 39^th minute, but Victor Charlet did what he does best, firing in the equaliser for the French off a penalty corner just three minutes later.

With the match heading for a draw, France pulled their keeper and were rewarded when Timothée Clément deflected in the cross from his brother Marius with just over a minute remaining.

Despite the defeat, Ireland still topped their new pool and will play for ninth place.

SUNDAY RESULTS

Result: Match 33 (W)

Chile 2 - 3 South Africa (Pool G)

Player of the match: Marlise van Tonder (RSA)

Umpires: Amber Church (NZL), Ayanna McClean (TTO), Sean Edwards (ENG-video)

Result: Match 34 (W)

Japan 2 - 3 England (Pool G)

Player of the match: Sophie Hamilton (ENG)

Umpires: Yoon Seon Kim (KOR), Irene Presenqui (ARG), Rawi Anbananthan (MAS-video)

Result: Match 35 (W)

Netherlands 4 - 1 China (Pool E)