Bhubaneswar, India: England downed New Zealand 2-0 in a crossover game playoff yesterday to book a slot in the quarter-final of the hockey World Cup 2018 being played here.
Next up for England will be a clash with Olympic champions Argentina for a semi-final berth tomorrow.
Argentina are one of the teams who qualified directly for the quarter-final after topping their group.
France defeated China 1-0 to also seal a quarter-final berth, where they will meet two-time defending champions and world number one Australia.
The lone goal of the match came in 36th minute from the stick of Timothee Clement.
France might be the lowest ranked team in the tournament at 20, but they had already shown the world that rankings hardly have any significance by stunning Olympic champions Argentina 5-3 in the pool stages.
With nine minutes left and trailing by two goals scored by England’s Will Calnan (25th minutes) off the field effort and Luke Taylor (44th), who converted a penalty corner, New Zealand knew the margin of defeat didn’t matter in a knockout game.
They replaced goalkeeper Richard Joyce with an extra outfield player in a desperate bid to score. However, it didn’t make any difference to England’s margin of victory.
Ranked seventh in the world, England were favourites against New Zealand, ranked ninth. England had also won the three previous encounters between them and managed to extend their superiority yesterday.
After a goalless first quarter, England attacked in the second. In the 25th minute, Calnan put England in the lead. Skipper Phil Roper dribbled past three defenders and pulled out the goalkeeper, making it easy for Calnan to score. Before the third quarter, Luke Taylor added another goal for England from a penalty corner in the 44th minute, making it 2-0.
“Keeping a clean sheet is a good thing. It motivates you to go stronger in the next game. We have got more chances and despite missing some chances, we scored goals and made it to the quarterfinals,” said England’s Liam Ansell.
“In the last eight-nine minutes, though New Zealand was playing without a goalkeeper, we kept more focus on defence as we were leading by two goals. Eventually we were able to stop their forward line from taking advantage; we’re happy for that.”
England skipper Phil Roper said: “In today’s match we got five penalty corners and could only convert one. So, this is an area we need to work on. We have got world class drag-flickers and hopefully we will sort it out.”
After a barren and eventless first quarter, England took the lead when Calnan deflected in a high ball from Roper. Two minutes later, a Liam Ansell’s strike from close went inches off the target.
In the 28th minute, a Nick Ross’ strike from top of the strike was padded away by England goalkeeper George Pinner. England also wasted a penalty corner soon after.
PLAYING TODAY:
(cross-over)
Belgium v Pakistan
Netherlands v Canada
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