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NEW DELHI: Australia achieved the biggest win in the history of hockey’s World Cup by hammering South Africa 12-0 while England held off Pakistan 5-2 to stay unbeaten on Thursday.
Olympic silver medallist Spain revived their semi-final chances with a 5-2 victory over hosts India.
England lead Group B with 9 points, Australia and Spain have 6 each, India and Pakistan have 3 each, and South Africa yet to earn a point.
England’s third straight win halfway through their group matches left them in a good position to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time since their silver medal at London in 1986, but it came at the cost of defender Richard Mantell, who dislocated his ankle and was out for the rest of the tournament.
“Richard’s our key player and we’re going to miss him. He’s very good in long distribution of the ball,” said England coach Jason Lee.
Captain Barry Middleton and Jonty Clarke scored twice each to lead England’s charge against Pakistan.
Mad scramble: South Africa’s Austin Smith and goalkeeper Brenden Botes try to stop Australia’s Jamie Dwyer (centre) during their World Cup match in New Delhi on Thursday. — AP
Ashley Jackson also scored for England, which blew a 2-0 halftime lead when Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt scored in a four-minute span to draw level.
Middleton broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute.
“I think this is the best we’ve played in this tournament,” Middleton said. “We showed why we are European champions.”
Lee heaped praised on his team for their biggest win over Pakistan.
“It’s a fantastic victory. It was a difficult match but the manner in which we played showed a lot of character from the boys,” Lee said. “They played excellent hockey in a match where emotions ran high.”
Penalty corner specialist Luke Doerner scored four times and Jamie Dwyer three as Australia eclipsed the previous biggest win of 12-3 by Pakistan against New Zealand at Bombay in 1982.
Australia’s previous best World Cup scoreline was 9-0 against Ghana in 1975.
“It’s not every day that we score 12 goals, but I was not aware that it was a record,” Australia coach Ric Charlesworth said.
“I liked the way we played throughout the game, we were relentless.”
Glenn Turner scored twice, while Desmond Abbott, Fergus Kavanagh and Matthew Butturini also made one entry in the scorebook.
Australia took 16 minutes to score then led 5-0 at halftime, and finished with three in the last eight minutes.
Pau Quemada converted two penalty corners as Spain overwhelmed India.
Field goals by Albert Sala and captain Pol Amat gave Spain a 2-0 lead at half-time before Quemada converted two penalty corners and David Alegre capitalised on a penalty corner rebound to give Spain their second win in three matches.
“After the loss to Pakistan, we now have a feeling that we’re in the race for a semi-final place,” Sala said.
Sandeep Singh and Gurwinder Chandi reduced the margin for India. — AP
Olympic silver medallist Spain revived their semi-final chances with a 5-2 victory over hosts India.
England lead Group B with 9 points, Australia and Spain have 6 each, India and Pakistan have 3 each, and South Africa yet to earn a point.
England’s third straight win halfway through their group matches left them in a good position to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time since their silver medal at London in 1986, but it came at the cost of defender Richard Mantell, who dislocated his ankle and was out for the rest of the tournament.
“Richard’s our key player and we’re going to miss him. He’s very good in long distribution of the ball,” said England coach Jason Lee.
Captain Barry Middleton and Jonty Clarke scored twice each to lead England’s charge against Pakistan.
Mad scramble: South Africa’s Austin Smith and goalkeeper Brenden Botes try to stop Australia’s Jamie Dwyer (centre) during their World Cup match in New Delhi on Thursday. — AP
Ashley Jackson also scored for England, which blew a 2-0 halftime lead when Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt scored in a four-minute span to draw level.
Middleton broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute.
“I think this is the best we’ve played in this tournament,” Middleton said. “We showed why we are European champions.”
Lee heaped praised on his team for their biggest win over Pakistan.
“It’s a fantastic victory. It was a difficult match but the manner in which we played showed a lot of character from the boys,” Lee said. “They played excellent hockey in a match where emotions ran high.”
Penalty corner specialist Luke Doerner scored four times and Jamie Dwyer three as Australia eclipsed the previous biggest win of 12-3 by Pakistan against New Zealand at Bombay in 1982.
Australia’s previous best World Cup scoreline was 9-0 against Ghana in 1975.
“It’s not every day that we score 12 goals, but I was not aware that it was a record,” Australia coach Ric Charlesworth said.
“I liked the way we played throughout the game, we were relentless.”
Glenn Turner scored twice, while Desmond Abbott, Fergus Kavanagh and Matthew Butturini also made one entry in the scorebook.
Australia took 16 minutes to score then led 5-0 at halftime, and finished with three in the last eight minutes.
Pau Quemada converted two penalty corners as Spain overwhelmed India.
Field goals by Albert Sala and captain Pol Amat gave Spain a 2-0 lead at half-time before Quemada converted two penalty corners and David Alegre capitalised on a penalty corner rebound to give Spain their second win in three matches.
“After the loss to Pakistan, we now have a feeling that we’re in the race for a semi-final place,” Sala said.
Sandeep Singh and Gurwinder Chandi reduced the margin for India. — AP
