Nine European teams have advanced to the last eight phase of the men’s and women’s FIH World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
For the Belgian women, they were the last side to complete the line-up as they survived a huge scare from Ireland in the last group game in Wavre.
Needing a draw to go through, the Red Panthers fell behind when Charlotte Beggs volleyed in a corner rebound in the first half. It made for a tense second half in which the Belgians piled on the pressure and were eventually rewarded thanks to Charlotte Englebert’s quick control and angled finish into the bottom left corner.
Ambre Ballenghien scrambled in another in the last minute for a 2-1 win, denying the Irish the victory they needed to reach the next phase.
Earlier, Spain had confirmed they would make into the super eights with a 3-0 success against New Zealand courtesy of a Patricia Alvarez hat trick.
England, however, missed out on the next phase after they were held to a 0-0 draw by India, leaving them third in Pool D.
Germany had confirmed their place on Wednesday with a 3-1 victory over USA while the Netherlands overcame two underpar performances to defeat Japan 9-0 and top Pool A ahead of Australia.
On the men’s side, Spain were the fifth European outfit to make it through thanks to two late goals from Marc Reyné denied Ireland 3-1.
The Irish needed a draw to knock the red sticks out and they were level when Lee Cole’s stroke made it 1-1 in the 19th minute but Reyné netted twice in the last quarter to carry the day.
The already qualified Netherlands struck a 4-1 win against Japan to make it three wins from three in Pool A.
A day earlier, Belgium went through with a 5-3 success against Malaysia while Germany drew 1-1 with France to take their place in the last eight. Dominant England defeated Wales 8-2 for a third win in-a-row.
Friday’s schedule in the second phase sees Germany play Spain at 16.00 (CEST) and Australia meet Belgium at 19.30. The big women’s games feature China against Australia at 14.00 and the Netherlands against India at 17.00.
** Picture: Will Palmer/World Sport Pics
