Host India and defending champions Australia posted contrasting wins to reach semifinals of the Men’s Hockey World League Finals here at Kalinga Hockey Stadium today. Unfazed by their poor performance at the pool league stage, where they finished fourth and last in Pool B, India played spirited hockey to stun Olympic silver medalists and Pool-A toppers Belgium 6-5 in the second quarterfinal, via penalty shoot out after play in the regulation time ended in 3-3 draw. Earlier in the day, Australia proved too strong for Spain as the Kookaburras won the first quarterfinal 4-1.

RESULTS:

Dec 6 (Match No 15, QF): Australia (Jeremy Hayward 28-PC, Aaron Kleinschmidt 48-PC, Blake Govers 50-PC, 50-PC) beat Spain (Marc Garcia 20-FG) 4-1. PoM: Matt Dawson (Australia). JPoM: Blake Govers (Australia).

Dec 6 (Match No 16, QF): India (Gurjant Singh 31-FG, Harmanpreet Singh 35-PC, Rupinder Pal Singh 46-PC. Shootout: Lalita Upadhyay, Rupinder Pal Singh, Harmanpreet Singh) beat Belgium (Loick Luypaert 39-PC, 46-PC; Amaury Keusters 53-FG. Shootout: Florent van Aubel, Arthur van Doren) 6-5, via penalty shootout (Full time 3-3). PoM: Loick Luypaert (Belgium). JPoM: Sumit (India).
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PHOTOS: Gurjant Singh celebrates after giving India thelead against Belgium on December 6, 2017.