Australia score another big win

Australia registered their second consecutive victory in Pool C, beating Belgium 7-1, and qualified for the second round of the Rabobank Men's Junior World Cup hockey tournament in Rotterdam on Thursday.

In other matches, at the time of writing, England beat Mexico 12-0, Pakistan beat Chile 2-1 and Korea beat Spain 3-1.

Setting a hot pace from the outset, the Aussies, who had beaten Chile 12-0 on Wednesday, controlled the game to run out comfortable winners.

Stocky right winger Colin Hennessey spearheaded the Aussie goal-glut, scoring thrice (2nd, 35th, 53rd minutes) while skipper Mark Knowles scored twice (5th, 38th).

Daniel Hotchkis (61st) and Desmond Abbot (69th) rounded off the tally.

The only instance Belgium looked in the game was in the mid-phase of the first-half as the Australian defence committed uncharacteristic errors when ahead 2-1.

A goal-line save by Kiel Brown denied the Belgians. However, past the 29th minute, Jerome Truyens made an indirect penalty-corner conversion for the lone Belgian goal.

The Australians, who meet Pakistan on Saturday after Friday's rest day, played a combined game marked by quick passing bouts that repeatedly put the Belgian defence on the wrong foot. The scoring might have been higher but for some good saves by goalkeeper Quentin Walravens.    Reflecting on another big win, Australia coach Mark Hager said: "I am very happy with our team's performance, though we did lapse in concentration for about 10 minutes in the first-half and conceded a goal. But, overall, I am satisfied, though I must say that Saturday's game against Pakistan will be crucial as we would like to take six points into the next round rather than three."

Belgium, who had lost 1-3 to Pakistan on Wednesday, need to beat Chile to advance to the next round.

On the outside pitch, England picked their first points in Pool A with a 12-0 rout of Mexico. Having lost 0-1 to Spain on Wednesday, England did well to shrug off the loss and made the best of a weak opposition.

The English goals came from Darren Cheesman (3), Simon Mantell (3), Ashley Jackson (2), Warren D'Souza (2), Andrew Watts and Lane Richard.