Harpal Singh Bedi / Bhubaneswar
Defending champion Australia outpaced France 3-0 for their record 11th successive semi finals entry in the Hockey World cup at the Kalinga stadium here on Wednesday.
Three –time winners Australia has been in the semi finals of every World Cup since 1978. They have been topper thrice, runners up twice, bronze medallist four time and fourth placer once.
Australia, who are eyeing to create a history by becoming the first team to win the World cup three times in a row, where hardly tested by the French forwards who though managed three penalty corners but never looked threatening.
Returning to World cup after a gap of 20 years, only for the third time, France however did well to restrict their famed rivals to only three goal margins
For the winners Jeremy Hayward (4th) Blake Govers (19th) Aran Zalewski (38th) were the goal scorers.They scored in each of the first three quarters but the French resolutely denied them the fourth goal in the last quarter.
The defending champion who entered the field having already scored 16 goals in three league matches while conceding only one surged ahead in the fourth minute when off a first penalty corner Jeremy Hayward found space between two players and the goalkeeper to sweep home the opening goal (1-0)
The French did not cave in kike some others teams did but they fought back and forced the Aussies defenders to take note of them.
FT. The @Kookaburras cruise into the Semi-Finals of the World Cup for a record 11th consecutive time as they continue to display their on-field brilliance to defeat @FF_Hockey by 3-0 at the OHMWC Bhubaneswar 2018. #AUSvFRA #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/ZG4iBZKIpK
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 12, 2018
The Aussies were bit surprised by the dour resistance put by the French but they breached the crowded defence for the second time in the 19th minute . The champions forced their second penalty corner and Blake Grovers converted it cleanly (2-0)
Having converted two penalty corners, Austrlia looked like making it three in a row but France foiled their third penalty corner.
Seven minutes into the third quarter Australia scored goal from its fourth penalty corner. When captain Aran Zakerski dispatched the ball home after two players relayed it to him (3-0) .
Australia kept the pressure but striker played patient game content t with rotating possession among themselves.. One pass cut through the French defence and d Daniel Beale earned fifth penalty corner.for his side .
However this time the scoop was wide over the bar. Though , Australia’s share of possession increased and they controlled the game but failed to increase the lead ..
Against the run of play French got a chance but ‘ Pieter van Straaten’s defence splitting pass was cleared by the defenders.