July 13, 2017 Johannesburg, South Africa: Following a pulsating day of action at the University of the Witwatersrand, six of the eight teams that will compete in the men’s quarter-finals at the Hockey World League Semi-Final in Johannesburg have been revealed. In Pool B, Ireland and Germany were winners of the first and last matches of the day, with Ireland fighting back from a goal down to beat Egypt and Germany just edging past home favourites South Africa in a breathtaking evening match under the floodlights. The results mean that Belgium, Ireland and Germany are all assured of a place in the competition quarter-finals, with Egypt and South Africa both still in contention for the one remaining place. Ireland’s Green Machine found themselves going into half time trailing 1-0 against opponents Egypt in the first match of the day, with Ahmed Elnaggar’s wonderfully taken open play effort proving to be the difference at the break. However, Ireland hit back straight after half time through Chris Cargo before Shane O’Donoghue – who had an earlier strike correctly ruled out by the video umpire due to the ball hitting the back of his stick – scored a sublime penalty corner drag-flick into the roof of the net with two minutes remaining to give Ireland all three points. While the win booked a quarter-final ticket for the Irish, the all-important finishing position in the pool ahead of the knock-out phase has not been settled. As for the much-improved Egyptians, they remain at the bottom of the table with their survival in the competition hanging in the balance. “We didn’t have a very good fourth quarter but we played well today and are getting better each game”, said Egypt captain Ahmed Ezz after the game. “We are targeting fourth place in the pool to get to the quarter-finals, and I think if we play like this then we can beat South Africa in our next match.” Egypt will go into their meeting with South Africa knowing that only a win will be good enough to keep alive any chances of a place in the last eight. The home favourites were in action against Olympic bronze medallists Germany in the final match of the day, with another big crowd watching the team produce a valiant performance but one that ultimately ended in a narrow defeat. South Africa were excellent in the first period, having the better chances by far but being unable to get the breakthrough before eventually conceding just ahead of half-time when Moritz Trompertz chipped in from a tight angle. Strikes from Niklas Wellen and Germany captain Mats Grambusch moved the score to 3-0 early in the third period before Austin Smith – playing his 150th game for South Africa – pulled one back with a fine penalty corner effort. Timm Herzbruch re-established the three goal cushion ahead of the an action-packed final quarter in which Smith scored a second before setting up a third for the diving Jonty Robinson. It set up a dramatic, utterly absorbing final few minutes, but Germany clung on to take a 4-3 victory. South Africa defender Rhett Halkett said: “We are disappointed to lose but it was much better performance from the team throughout the 60 minutes. Physically we showed we could stick with them right to the end so yes, disappointed not to get a point but it was a great game and a phenomenal atmosphere out there.” The South Africa versus Germany match was a significant one for umpire Haider Rasool from Pakistan, who received his Golden Whistle on the occasion of umpiring his 100th senior international match. In Pool A, France cruised to a 4-1 win over Japan to confirm their place in the competition quarter-finals, with Australia doing the same by defeating Spain 2-0 to move top of the table. Australia, France and New Zealand are all now guaranteed places in the quarter-finals, while Spain look favourites to be the fourth qualifier ahead of a Japanese side that have just one pool match – against Australia’s Kookaburras – remaining. France were excellent against the Samurais, continuing with the fast-paced counter-attacking style that served them so well in their draw with New Zealand and narrow defeat at the hands of reigning world champions Australia. Open play goals from Etienne Tynevez and Gaspard Baumgarten opened up a 2-0 lead for France, before Japan’s Hirotaka Wakuri reduced the deficit ahead of half time. France killed the game thanks to goals in the third and fourth quarter, with Francois Goyet’s superb penalty corner deflection proving unstoppable ahead of a poacher’s goal from Blaise Rogeau that completed the 4-1 score-line, ensuring that the 100th senior international appearance of Jean-Baptiste Forgues ended in triumph. “We have reached the quarter-finals, the job is done but we have to keep pushing more and more in this competition”, said France captain Victor Lockwood, before looking ahead to his team’s final pool match against Spain, a team coached by former France international Frederic Soyez, on Saturday. “They are a very good team with a great style and very skilful players. We know the coach, he’s a friend, so we are looking forward to it.” Spain were in action against reigning world champions Australia in the third match of the day, and there was very little to choose between the two sides throughout. Despite both teams being renowned for their flair, speed and counter-attacking, it was the defences that really excelled in this contest. The deadlock was finally broken seven minutes from the end thanks to Dylan Wotherspoon’s brilliant close-range deflection, with Trent Mitton putting the result beyond doubt in the final minute with a second for the Kookaburras. “It was really good progress for us from game one to game two”, said Australia Head Coach Colin Batch. “We knew we were below our level in our first match so to step up in game two against a really good Spanish team was great progress in showing what we’re capable of. I think

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July 11, 2017 Johannesburg, South Africa: Reigning men’s World Cup and Hockey World League title holders Australia were given a real scare by qualifiers France on Day 4 of the Hockey World League Semi-Finals, currently being played at the University of the Witwatersrand. The day’s play began and ended in Pool B, with Germany (FIH Hero World Ranking: 3) taking a 5-0 win over Egypt (WR: 19) before Belgium (WR: 9) defeated Ireland (WR: 5) 6-2 to claim their second win of the competition and move clear at the top of the standings. Germany were slow starters against an Egypt side that showed significant improvement from their 10-0 loss to Belgium on the opening day of the men’s competition. Egypt kept the Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallists off the score-sheet until the 23rd minute, when Marco Miltkau netted before a Tom Grambusch penalty corner took the score to 2-0 ahead of half time. Dieter Linnekogel, Jonas Gomoll and Timm Herzbruch all contributed as Die Honamas emerged comfortable 5-0 winners. “The first half was not very good for us, especially in our structure but in the second half we took our chances so 5-0 is a good result for us”, said Germany goal-scorer Timm Herzbruch before answering a question about his blistering strike that flew into the top left corner. “It was a really good hit, on the volley. I hope in the next game I can also score.” Belgium’s Red Lions were in imperious form against the Green Machine of Ireland in the day’s final match, with Tom Boon producing a penalty corner masterclass. Ireland took the lead in a closely contested first quarter through Stephen Cole, but second quarter strikes from Simon Gougnard, Cedric Charlier and the first of three penalty corner drag-flicks gave Belgium a 3-1 lead at half time. A penalty stroke from Loick Luypaert and another two high quality Boon penalty corners took the score to 6-1 before a fine backhand strike from Ireland’s Alan Southern completed the scoring. “It has been a while since I scored a hat-trick but the corners were working well today”, said Tom Boon after the match. “Ireland are a very good team but when we play like that we have enough in the locker to beat most teams.” Two Pool A matches took place in-between the Pool B fixtures that bookended the day’s play, with world champions Australia and New Zealand’s Black Sticks claiming wins against France and Japan respectively. France were outstanding against the illustrious Australians, storming into a 2-0 lead before succumbing to a 3-2 loss. Both of France’s goals came in the first quarter, with Victor Charlet’s blistering penalty corner being doubled by a superb break-away goal finished off by Pieter van Straaten’s fierce slap-shot from the top of the circle. The Kookaburras were rocked, but retained their composure to reduce the arrears through Jake Whetton, who scored from close range in the second quarter. France’s defence seemed almost uncrackable at times, but eventually Australia levelled when Josh Pollard smashed home a backhand strike from a tight angle with nine minutes to go. Kookaburras captain Mark Knowles scored the winner from the penalty spot two minutes later, although his team had to survive a last gasp penalty corner in order to claim all three points in their opening match of the competition. “It was a very tough game, there are no easy games”, said Australia Head Coach Colin Batch. “We thought we prepared well for the game against France. We were a bit slow to start, they took advantage of us having too many players forward and they were very good on the defensive.” New Zealand – who play Australia on Saturday in the Oceania derby match – proved too strong for Japan, winning 3-1 to move top of Pool B at the end of the second day of the men’s competition. The Black Sticks scored twice in the second quarter against the Samurais, with Jared Panchia and Nic Woods on target. Despite some excellent counter-attacking work from Japan, New Zealand were well worth their lead and added a third thanks to a powerful Stephen Jenness in the third quarter before Japan’s Hirotaka Zendana scored a consolation goal. “It was a good performance and was nice to get on the board with a penalty corner rebound”, said Jared Panchia post-match. “It is a bit disappointing to concede the late goal, but we played well. We play Australia next and those matches are always a bit special, so we’ll try and make the most of the rest days ahead of that match.” Wednesday will feature the third day of action in the women’s competition, with eight teams continuing their drive to secure a place in the tournament quarter-finals. India and Chile currently occupy the bottom two positions in Pool B and take to the field at 1200 (South Africa Standard Time / UTC 2), each knowing that a win would boost their chances of reaching the last eight. At 1400, Pool A opponents Ireland and Poland will contest for their first wins of the competition before Japan and England go head-to-head at 1600. Home favourites South Africa play Argentina at 1800, with the host nation looking to build on their opening day draw with India by claiming victory against one of the world’s best hockey teams. We will be providing full coverage of the event via www.fih.ch including reports, news stories, event imagery and much more. There will also be comprehensive coverage of the event via our social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the #HWL2017 hashtag. For information about the broadcasters covering this event, click here. Hockey World League Semi-Finals – Johannesburg, South Africa Results – Men Pool B: Germany 5, Egypt 0. Pool A: Australia 3, France 2. Pool A: New Zealand 3, Japan 1. Pool B: Belgium 6, Ireland 2. Source: www.fih.ch