The Australian booked an easy victory against Pakistan. The Aussies only had difficulties with the Pakis in the first half. Jacob Whetton opened the score for Australia after 9 minutes, but four minutes later Muhammed Irfan scored the equalizer. In the second half the Kookaburras were able to build up a comfortable lead with goals of Beale, Swann, Dwyer and Blake Govers (twice).
A rare goal from India captain Sardar Singh helped his team overcome a strong challenge from Poland, running out 3-0 winners to claim their second win in Pool A at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi Finals in Antwerp.
Italy took their first victory in the Hockey World League in Antwerp. The French squad had to digest four goals. Agata Wybieralska netted twice and Marcela Casale and Giuliana Ruggiere also managed to score. The French goalkeeper Anne-Sophie Daire saved her team from a heavier defeat. Italy now has four points and are thus second in group A, behind the Netherlands.
Home team Belgium took an easy win against China, number 31 in the world. Dorian Thiery made the opening goal after 14 minutes. Amaury Keusters, who played his 50th game for the national team, managed to score three goals. .
After their solid win against Poland on Saturday, today New Zealand managed to put aside India. Gemma Flynn opened the score for the Black Sticks and put the ball in the net once more, which brings her on a total of 6 goals. Kirsten Pearce also scored twice. New Zealand now has 6 points after two games.
The confrontation between the number 10 and the number 24 of the world was the last game of the second day. Yuri Nagai made the opening goal for the women of Japan. Just 5 minutes later Shihori stroke and also Akane Shibata and Hazuki Nagai netted. In the 43th minute Oikawa fullfilled her hattrick and with this big win Japan takes over the second place in group A. The game ended with a positive point for France, they scored their first goal of the tournament in minute 58.
Australia women defeated hosts Belgium 2-0 on Wednesday evening in pool B at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Finals to pick up their second win of the competition. Both teams started well in front of a packed venue at KHC Dragons home in Antwerp, Belgium.
Two penalty corner drag-flicks from Victor Charlet enabled France to collect their first Pool A points at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Finals in Antwerp, seeing off Poland 4-1 to move within touching distance of a place in the event quarter-finals. Les Bleues took the lead in the second quarter thanks to a penalty stroke from Hugo Genestet, who sent a low effort past into the bottom right corner of Meciej Pacanowski’s goal.
Japan, number 10 in the world, did not surprise against the Dutch world champions. Maartje Paumen reached her 200th game for the national team and celebrated this by scoring two goals. Naomi van As and Xan de Waard also touched the net in order to complete the four Dutch goals. The Netherlands hold the lead in group A with the maximum number of points.
The Indian men have accomplished their second succes in the Hockey World League. They defeated Poland with 3-0. Yuvraj Walmiki, captain Sardar Singh and Devindar Walmiki stroke for India. India takes the lead in group A. After two games Poland still has no points.
In their first game of the tournament the Irish managed to score two goals against neighbour Great Britain. Great Britain started off with scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes. Captain Barry Middleton and Chris Griffiths accounted for the goals. Ireland, number 14 in the world, was not impressed and after 19 minutes Kyle Good netted the ball. The Green Machine kept pushing and after 36 minutes John Jackson scored the equalizer for the Irish.
Australia obtained a convincing victory against the French team in their opening game. The Kookaburras made an impressing number of 10 goals. The brothers Kieran and Blake Govers each put two balls into the net. Australia now has three points and joins Pakistan and India as leader in group A.
