Aussies and Germans keep up their storming form
Both qualify for the semifinals of the World Hockey League in Johannesburg.
Australia continued their cracking form. Photo: Jan Kruger/Getty Images for FIH.
The unbeaten runs of Australia and Germany continued in the Hockey World League at the Wits Astro on Wednesday as both teams secured their places in the semi-finals with comfortable victories.
Australia, the number two side on the world rankings, cruised past Egypt, the lowest ranked men’s team at the tournament, winning 4-0, with Jake Whetton scoring twice.
Germany beat the rapidly-improving French side 4-1, with the exciting 20-year-old, Timm Herzbruch, grabbing two of the goals from open play.
The two undefeated teams have been kept apart for the semi-finals on Friday, with Australia playing the impressive Belgium team and Germany up against Spain.
The Belgians scored two goals in the first five minutes of their quarterfinal against New Zealand and then just ensured they dominated possession and territory as they eased through 2-0.
Spain had the most exciting win of the day as they pipped Ireland 2-1.
All three goals came in the dramatic third chukka as Spain opened the scoring in the 39th minute through a Ricardo Sanchez short-corner.
Ireland equalised two minutes before the end of the quarter as Alan Sothern converted a penalty corner, but the Spanish went roaring back on to the attack and earned themselves another short-corner just before the hooter.
The ball went astray, but possession was retained by the Spanish, and, with the Irish defence criminally failing to pick up Alvaro Iglesias lurking at the far post, the ball went to the unmarked player, who grabbed the winner.
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