Hockey World Cup – as it happened: Netherlands defeat Australia in shootout to book final spot

Neighbours Netherlands and Belgium face off in the final. Old rivals Australia and England fight for the bronze medal. Did someone write this script?

Australia 3-4 Netherlands No third straight World Cup for Australia. The experienced Beale was setting his shot up when Blaak dived full length to his left and pushed it away. Blaak is the hero, and rightly so. He stood in the way of the Kookaburras almost singlehandely sometimes.

BEALE MISSES, NETHERLANDS ARE THROUGH TO THE FINAL

AUS 3-4 NED. (Hertzberger scores)
Wonderful dummy from Hertzberger to put Netherlands in the lead. Australia now have to score. The Dutch are cock-a-hoop.

AUS 3-3 NED. (Van Dam scores)
Stunning finish from the youngster. He is mighty proud of it. There was nothing that Charter could do about it.

AUS 3-2 NED. (Whetton) Australia now lead. Calm finish from Whetton and it’s sudden death time.

AUS 2-2 NED. (Van Ass levels it) Fine scoop finish from the goalscorer to level things up. Sigh of relief to the Dutch.

AUS 2-1 NED. Australia miss, the decision goes Blaak’s way. The goalkeeper saved it with a dive and tackle.

Kemperman misses! AUS 2-1 NED. Australia now lead as Charter blocked his shot with panache. The Netherlands trail for the first time in the game. Advantage Australia.

AUS 2-1 NED. Australia lead. Wonderful stickwork and Blaak was left flat-footed.

Pruijser misses! AUS 1-1 NED. It’s all square with a goal and a miss. Charter blocked the attacker’s tomahawk behind the goal. A review was taken but the miss stands.

Beale scores! AUS 1-1 NED. Blaak was outfoxed here from Beale’s exemplary stickwork. Australia are level.

Hertzberger scores! AUS 0-1 NED. The Oranje lead. The initial shot was blocked by Charter. Hertzberger made no mistake with the rebound.

It’s Blaak vs Charter

We are heading for a penalty shootout. Australia made a comeback that champions are made of. The equaliser was the stuff of dreams with the Aussies pulling off a slick move.

GOAL! Netherlands 2-2 Australia (Ockenden)
What a finish. The final touch was Netherlands’, who can’t believe the turn of events. The referral goes against the Dutch. Stunning recovery from the champions.

Q4: Australia have equalised with 27 seconds left on the clock. What drama. The Australians think they have got the goal they needed. Referral taken.

2 minutes left in Q4: Blaak? Try block instead. Once again, he thwarts and Australian PC. Govers’s drag-flick was aimed at the bottom corner.

3 minutes left in Q4: Australia have a PC. They are applying relentless pressure around the Dutch circle. Do they have a choice?

5 minutes left in Q4: Dawson has the bib and Australia have taken off their goalkeeper and are going for broke with five minutes left on the clock.

7 minutes left in Q4: Blaak, take a bow. Yet again, Brand comes close with a powerfully drilled attempt at the edge of the circle after space opened up for him. The Dutch goalkeeper comes up with yet another stunning save.

8 minutes left in Q4: Brand’s dangerous diagonal ball look threatening but Netherlands clear. Australia attack with a lot more purpose.

Australia survive. Good save by Charter after what was a stunning PC from Van der Weerden.

9 minutes left in Q4: Australia lose their referral after the TV umpire deliberated over the decision for an age. Netherlands have a PC. It’s been a cagey quarter so far.

End of Q3: Australia 1-2 Netherlands As we predicted, this has all the makings of a World Cup classic.

GOAL! Australia 1-2 Netherlands (Howard)
That was a great move from the defending champions, fooling the Belgian defence with a deadly switch. Howard found space at the edge of the shooting circle and slapped one to the bottom corner. We have a finale in store.

1 minute left for Q3: Australia have a PC

2 minutes left for Q3: Oh, what a chance that was from Pruijser. He was free in space inside the Australian area but failed to trap the ball. That goal could have put the game beyond doubt.

4 minutes left for Q3: Van Ass comes close. The Dutch once again go on one of their quick-fire counter-attacks but this time, the goalscorer’s tomahawk goes a fraction wide of goal.

6 minutes left for Q3: Australia recycling possession quickly but Netherlands’s zonal marking has been spot on. There is little room for Australia to penetrate down the middle.

10 minutes left for Q3: Australia are hogging possession but the Dutch defence is holding firm so far. The difference? Netherlands are not allowing the Aussies a gateway at the edge of their circle.

12 minutes left for Q3: It’s been a cagey start to the third quarter. Netherlands are down to 10 men. Plenty of fouls so far from both sides.

Half-time: Australia 0-2 Netherlands
As it stands, we have witnessed the best game of the tournament. Breathtaking hockey from both teams but Netherlands have been at their devastating best. Blaak has been the difference between the two teams.

3 minutes left in Q2: Another PC for Netherlands. Hertzberger’s trickery inside the Australian circle was too much to handle. Boy, aren’t the Dutch looking good when they go forward?

4 minutes left in Q2: The action just doesn’t stop. Australia continue to penetrate inside the Dutch circle with ease but Blaak stands like a rock in front of goal. Meanwhile, Verga of the Netherlands has received a green card.

6 minutes left in Q2: Once again, Australia look abject during the turnovers and Dutch are showing plenty of bite in attack.

9 minutes left in Q2: Outstanding goalkeeping from Blaak. Australia, desperate to get back in the came unleashed a flurry of shots. Blaak calmly dealt with the danger, showing feline reflexes.

GOAL! Netherlands 2-0 Australia
Netherlands are in dream land. Van Ass finds space on the right, scuttles to the byline and shoots goalwards. The ball takes a deflection of Howard’s stick and goes into the net.

10 minutes left in Q2: Stunning save from Blaak from Govers’ drag-flick. That was heading to the top corner and the Australians can’t believe it.

11 minutes left in Q2: End-to-end stuff and it’s getting hard to keep pace. It’s Australia who have a PC this time.

12 minutes left in Q2: Ahh...Van Ass’s strike had venom but the ball went wide of the left post. Good defending from the Australians.

13 minutes left in Q2: The Dutch, in what was a sweeping move, take the ball to one end of the field to the other and win a PC.

13 minutes left in Q2: Australia have a PC

End of Q1: What a riveting quarter of hockey we have witnessed. Australia set the pace early on before the Dutch came to the party. They could have had a bigger lead. This promises to be a high-scoring thriller

4 minutes left in Q1: Netherlands are all over the Aussies at the moment and come close twice in the space of as many minutes to doubling the lead. Australia’s defence is all over the place at the moment.

GOAL! Australia 0-1 Netherlands (Shuurman)
What a run from De Geus from the right, twisting and turning the Australian defence and Shuurman turned it in.

11 minutes left in Q1: Fine hit by Van der Weerden but goakeeper Charter was upto the challenge. That was drilled low and in the middle of the goal and Australia survive.

Netherlands win a PC. Terrific run from Bakker on the right

13 minutes left in in Q1:
Australia are off to a brisk start and have already made three circle entries in no time. The Dutch are under the cosh and need to settle down quickly.

We are under way at the Kalinga Stadium

6:26 pm: Australia will go first. Remember, the Aussies are unbeaten so far. Netherlands were outclassed by Germany in the group stages.

It’s national anthems time

We are into the second semi-final. Remember the last time these two teams met in a World Cup? Australia routed the Dutch 6-1 in the final.

Belgium cruise into first World Cup final with 6-0 hammering of England. Praveen Sudevan with the report – READ

Don’t go anywhere. The second semi-final starts shortly and it’s a battle between two three-time champions, Netherlands and Australia.

“It is amazing,” says Boon. “We played for Simon, whose father passed away yesterday and it was an emotional moment for him. We have been playing well for a few years now. We have to put up another good performance. England had a few chances, but not enough to put us under pressure. We are very proud of the performance. Hopefully, another good performance tomorrow.”

Tom Boon is the Man of the Match. Cometh the hour, Belgium’ star man arrived in style.

Full-time: ENGLAND 0-6 BELGIUM
The Red Lions just had far too much firepower for the English to handle. They just got better as the match progressed and were clinical, be it field goals or PCs. Boon, Dockier, Charlier and Hendrickx are a sight to behold going forward and the other finalist – Netherlands or Australia – better be warned. Agonising for England, who have lost their third consecutive semi-final.

1 minute left in Q4: Martin’s shot was off target and Vanasch wasn’t troubled. The clock is running down to full-time.

England have a PC

2 minutes left in Q4:
And....there was more danger. Yet another good save by Pinner. Boon was looking for his second but that was a fine stop with the goal gaping in front of the Belgian attacker.

3 minutes left in Q4:
Charlier was in a one-on-one situation and his cracking shot was saved by Pinner with his left hand. There could be more danger.

6 minutes left in Q4:
SAVE! England get a PC and Belgium lose their referral. That had little effect on the proceedings as Luke Taylor’s shot was thwarted by Vanasch.

7 minutes left in Q4:
GOAL! Belgium 6-0 England (Dockier)
What a goal, probably the best of the evening. Dockier takes a few strides forward and unleashes a scorching shot as soon as he enters the striking circle. The hapless George Pinner can do nothing to stop that.

10 minutes left in Q4:
GOAL! Belgium 5-0 England (Hendrickx)
Add one more to Hendrickx’s tally. What a performance from the Red Lions as the goals keep on coming. Yet another top class PC, this time going for power and lifting it to the top corner.

11 minutes left in Q4: Belgium get another PC. They are down to 10 men, mind you. The English shoulders have dropped and this could be worse.

End of Q3: GOAL! England 0-4 Belgium (Hendrickx)
No stopping that one. Hendrickx’s drag-flick was unstoppable and was drilled low and hard into the bottom corner. Champagne on ice as Belgium are on the cusp of making history.

Belgium have another PC. England are not going upstairs

1 minute left in Q3: End-to-end hockey. Ansell’s PC was saved by goalkeeper Vanasch. At the other end, England’s defence was in all kinds of disarray and a slick move on the right sets Boccard on goal, but his shot was slightly off the mark. There’s another goal coming.

2 minutes left in Q3: England have a penalty corner. Ansell wins it and he will take the drag-flick as well.

4 minutes left in Q3:
GOAL! England 0-3 Belgium (Cedric Charlier)
Oh dear, the contest might be well and truly over here. England, once again, are caught napping from a Belgium counter. Charlier gets acres of space on the right and he makes no mistake, thumping it to the bottom corner.

7 minutes left in Q3:
Still no way past the red shirts for England. A fine pass from Condon sets Calnan in space. Once again, the shot is blocked and the English have to try again. Meanwhile, Belgium are back to 11 players.

9 minutes left in Q3: Belgium are down to 10 men. Can England capitalise and make things interesting? England now bossing possession.

11 minutes left in Q3:
England still can’t find a way past Van Dorren and Co. The veteran once again proves his class by stopping Roper’s surging run.

14 minutes left in Q3: Goal-line save from Belgium
The Red Lions somehow protect their lead as England get a PC. Goalkeeper Vanasch was beaten but the ball was cleared inches away from the line.

Half-time.
England 0-2 Belgium
Danny Kerry’s side have been outclassed by the irrepressible Belgians, who were all over the English in the final third. England need to show more bite in attack or kiss the World Cup final goodbye. Belgians would hope Dockier’s miss wouldn’t come back to haunt them. It has been one-way traffic so far.

3 minutes left in Q2:
WHAT A MISS. Dockier was free at the English goalmouth and he inexplicably can’t deflect the ball into the net. What a golden opportunity that was for the Red Lions to triple their lead. The English defence, once again, had no answer to Belgium’s counter attack.

5 minutes left in Q2: Calnan is trying hard to pierce through the right side of Belgium’s circle but yet again, there is no way through.

7 minutes left in Q2: England have their task cut out here. Kina on the left has been a constant menace in this half and the white shirts flood around him.

11 minutes left in Q2:
GOAL! Belgium 2-0 England (Simon Gougnard)
Belgians capitalise on penalty corners once again. Denayer’s strike was blocked and Gougnard from an acute angle make no mistake. The red shirts are running away with this one.

12 minutes left in Q2: Belgium have a penalty corner. Charlier was tripped. Danger again for England

14 minutes left in Q2: England start well. Waller made three Belgian defenders look invisible with a superb turn and passes it to Barry Middleton. The 34-year-old goes on a purposeful run before being halted in his tracks inside the Belgian circle.

End of 1st quarter: England could have nearly been 0-2 down. Belgium have shown plenty of bite going forward and with the brilliant Tom Boon, can create something out of thin air. England need to be a lot better across the pitch. Even in attack, they have looked slightly bereft of ideas.

1 minute left in Q1: Off the bar! Tom Boon is on fire and yet another deflection sees the ball bounce off the frame of the goal. The goalkeeper was left flat-footed and England could have nearly been 0-2 down.

3 minutes left in Q1: There is a little more urgency in England’s attack, having gone behind early in the game. Belgium are happy to let the English see more of the ball so far.

GOAL! Belgium 1-0 England (Tom Boon)

7 minutes left in Q1: Stunning move by the Belgians, powering through the left from a counter-attack that left England’s defence in disarray. Tom Boon gets his third of the tournament with a close-range deflection. The red shirts are up and away.

8 minutes left in Q1: Charlier goes on a terrific run, galloping at the heart of the English defence. A foul is given against him, though,

10 minutes left in Q1: It’s been a slow start from England, biding their time before launching an attack. Calnan scuttles away on the right inside the Belgian circle but the red shirts swarm around him and see it out.

12 minutes left in Q1: Belgians post the first bit of threat with Denayer driving through the right flank. England see out the danger.

3:56 pm: National anthems time. England to start.

The teams are taking the field. The Kalinga stadium, which was packed to the rafters on Thursday, is only half-full. Plenty of empty seats, understandably so.

For all the Indian fans, here’s Praveen Sudevan on why Harendra Singh’s side should take heart from their fight – READ

Netherlands look to avenge crushing loss from 2014, England face buoyant Belgium. Here’s our preview for both the semi-final matches – READ

Belgium have reached the semi-final for the first time in their history. They are one of the most improved sides in recent times. England are eyeing their the summit spot for the first time since 1986, where they were hosts.

Hello and welcome to the live updates of the first semi-final match between Belgium and England at Bhubaneshwar. England are peaking at the right time after a sluggish start to the tournament and face the ever-improving Belgium side in all European-clash. Belgium are one of the most improved sides in the world, and had a stunning run in 2016 Olympics, where they reached the finals.

They have been clinical in all their games so far, except for the second half against India. They prevailed over two-time champions Germany in the quarter-final. With ten minutes to go, Tom Boon got the decisive goal. England can’t be taken lightly and have quietly gone on a good run. They came into their own after beating Olympic champions Argentina in the quarter-final. The English are chasing their first final since 1986.