Star ahead Blake Govers scored 4 instances, together with from a penalty stroke, as title contenders Australia thrashed South Africa 9-2 to prime Pool A and immediately qualify for the quarterfinals of the FIH Men’s World Cup on Friday.

Australia will face the winner of the crossover match between Malaysia and Spain within the quarterfinal match on January 24 in Bhubaneswar.

ALSO READ| FIH World Cup 2023: India Beat Wales 4-2 to Finish Second in Group; to Play New Zealand in Crossover

Govers struck within the 4th, 15th, 19th and 20th minutes because the rampaging Australians led 7-1 at halftime. His first and fourth strikes had been area targets whereas the second was from a penalty nook and the third from the penalty spot.

Tom Craig (10th), Jake Harvie (22nd), Daniel Beale (28th), Jeremy Hayward (32nd) and Tim Brand (47th) had been the opposite Australian goal-getters on the Birsa Munda Stadium.

Ntuli Nqobile (eighth) and Kok Tevin (58th) had been the scorers — each area targets — for South Africa.

The Kookaburras slowed down a bit within the third and fourth quarters, simply scoring a purpose every. The fourth quarter noticed each side scoring a purpose every.

Five of the Australian targets had been area efforts whereas three had been from the penalty corners. Australia earned eight PCs as towards 5 of the South Africans.

In one other Pool A match, Argentina and France scored a purpose every within the ultimate minute to play out a 5-5 attract a dramatic contest.

Argentina completed second within the pool with 5 factors from three matches — one win and two attracts — whereas France ended third with 4 factors — one win, one draw and one loss.

Argentina will play the third-place workforce in Pool B of their crossover match on January 22 in Bhubaneswar whereas France will tackle the second-place workforce in Pool B the subsequent day.

France thought they’d received the match 5-Four after Victor Charlet scored within the ultimate minute from the penalty stroke however Argentina equalised after a couple of seconds via a penalty nook. Argentina earned 4 penalty corners in succession and scored from the final one to break up factors with France.

Charlet (36th, 38th, 48th and 60th) struck 4 targets for France with two coming from penalty strokes. His first and final had been from penalty strokes whereas the second and third had been from PCs. Tynevez Etienne scored the opposite purpose for France within the 11th minute.

For Argentina, who had performed out a 3-Three draw towards pool topper Australia, Nicolas Della Torre (34th, 42nd and 60th) struck a hat-trick whereas Keenan Nicolas (third) and Martin Ferreiro (51st) had been the opposite purpose scorers.

The Netherlands and England additionally booked direct quarterfinal berths after topping Pool C and Pool D respectively on Thursday.

Read all of the Latest Sports News right here

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed)