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After their heart-breaking exit from the quarterfinal race, host India salvaged some prize in the 15th Mens Hockey World Cup, trouncing Japan 8-0 in a classification match for ninth to 16th positions at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela today.
In three other classification matches of the day, debutants Walses stunned France 2-1 in shoot out, South Africa outclashed Malaysia 6-3 and Argentina mauled Chile 8-0. In the second round of classification matches, scheduled to be played in Rourkela on January 28, India and Argentina will face South Africa and Wales respectively for 9-12 positions, while Japan and France will take on Malaysia and Chile respectively for 13-16 positions.
In their classification match against Japan, India scored all eight goals in the second half. The floodgates opened after Mandeep Singh drew first blood in the 32nd minute. Among other Indian goal-getters, Abhishek and captain Harmanpreet Singh struck twice each, while Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh contributed one each.
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Abhishek scored his second and fourth goal for India in the 44th minute, bringing up the 200th goal of this World Cup. He was awarded as the Player of the Match.
RESULTS (26 January 2023):
Match 33 (9-16 Places, Birsa Munda Stadium, Rourkela): South Africa (Bradley Sherwood 8-FG, 56-FG; Guy Morgan 16-PC, Nqobile Ntuli 25-FG, Keenan Horne 42-FG, Mustaphaa Cassiem 43-PS) beat Malaysia (Razie Rahim 34-PC, 44-PS; Firhan Ashari 56-FG) 6-3. PoM: Nqobile Ntuli.
Match 34 (9-16 Places, Birsa Munda Stadium, Rourkela): Wales (Luke Hawker 9-FG, Gareth Furlong 22-PC) drew with France (Corentin Sellier 14-FG, 20-FG) 2-2. Shootout: Wales (Benjamin Francis, Rupert Shipperley) beat France (Timothee Clement) 2-1. PoM: Gareth Furlong.
Match 35 (9-16 Places, Birsa Munda Stadium, Rourkela): Argentina (Nicolas Della Torre 8-PC, Maico Casella 16-FG, 33-FG; Lucas Toscani 18-PC, Bautista Capurro 22-FG, Nicolas Keenan 24-FG, Martin Ferreiro 50-FG, Tomas Domene 55-PC) beat Chile 8-0. PoM: Maico Casella.
Match 36 (9-16 Places, Birsa Munda Stadium, Rourkela): India (Mandeep Singh 32-PC, Abhishek 35-FG, 43-FG; Vivek Sagar Prasad 39-PC, Harmanpreet Singh 45-PC, 58-PC; Manpreet Singh 58-FG, Sukhjeet Singh 59-PC) beat Japan 8-0. PoM: Abhishek.
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TOP: File picture of India forward Abhishek who scored two goals in their World Cup classification match against Japan in Bhubaneswar on 26 January 2023.
RIGHT: Gareth Furlong of Wales receives the Player of the Match award after win over France in Bhubaneswar on 26 January 2023.
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