Three of the four semi-final tickets are assigned

Australia, Germany and The Netherlands grabbed their semi-final tickets today at the Standard Chartered Bank FIH's Men Junior World Cup in Singapore and Johor Bahru (Malaysia).

In medal-round Pool E the Netherlands beat Argentina 3:1 which brought the Dutch into the semi-final. World Champion Argentina had to win that game to keep their chances to defend the title. With zero points after two games they will just play for the final rankings 5 to 8 now. The same destiny occurred to the Spanish who lost against Germany 5:3. The European Champion was overrun by the Germans who scored three goals in the first 18 minutes. Afterwards Spain found their way back into the game but finally suffered from the three early goals they have been behind. The last Pool E match between The Netherlands and Germany will decide who is winner of Pool E and play the semi-final against the second of Pool F. Argentina and Spain clash to find the third and fourth of Pool E.

Australia is the third team who qualified for the semi-finals after two victories in two games. The Kookaburras defeated Korea 3:1 and play New Zealand on Thursday. The Black Sticks sent Pakistan out of the battle for the title. With a convincing performance New Zealand won 4:2 and destroyed Pakistan's hopes to become World Champion. After two games and four points the Black Sticks need to beat their neighbour Australia on Thursday to grab the last available ticket. But also Korea has still chances for the round of the last four. When they beat Pakistan and New Zealand loose they have good chances to become second in Pool F.

After a convincing 4:0-victory over Belgium India keep the lead in non-medal round Pool G. Both had won their first match, so that today’s game was already a preliminary decision of the Pool-win. England lost a close game versus Japan which increases Japan’s chances to play for the final ranking 13 and 14. The Pool H match between Poland and Egypt was drawn. So Poland stay leader of that Pool followed by host Malaysia who beat South Africa 3:1.

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