England and Belgium, both unbeaten in Pool A, were each on the receiving end of defeats to Germany and hosts India respectively.

Pool B toppers The Netherlands and Argentina, meanwhile, were also left ruing defeat as they fell at the feet of a previously winless Pakistan and world champions Australia.

England had recorded two wins and a draw in their three pool play matches.

Their hardwork was undone in the first knockout phase, however, as they were pinned back by a defensive masterclass by Olympic champions Germany.

The Germans began the match well on top, securing five penalty corners within 10 minutes.

Despite failing to convert any of these early chances, the reigning European champions went ahead in the closing seconds of the first half as Moritz Furste picked out the top corner on the sixth time of calling.

England battled hard to pull the tie even but were denied time and time again by a solid wall of German defenders.

English hopes were then finally ended three minutes from time as Christopher Ruhr held his nerve to slide home a second.

India recovered from their poor early form to defeat Belgium in their quarter-final fixture ©FIH



After struggling in the early stages of the tournament, India have found a rich vein of form on home soil.

A win over The Netherlands on the final day of pool play saw them move ahead of Germany, and set up a quarter-final encounter with Pool A runners-up Belgium.

The Belgians, who had looked convincing throughout pool action, scored either side of the game's first break, courtesy Felix Denayer and Sebastien Dockier, to look well on their way to a semi-final berth.

This second goal appeared to kick the hosts into life, though, as Rupinder Singh pulled one back within the same minute through the side's first penalty corner.

The equaliser arrived three minutes before half-time thanks to SK Uthappa as he sent a bullet effort past the outstretched Belgian goalkeeper to send the crowd into a frenzy.

The third quarter brought a third Indian goal as they completed the turnaround courtesy of Akashdeep Singh.

Their lead was then extended 11 minutes from time as Dharamvir Singh finished off a clever Indian counter.

Pakistan produced a stunning comeback to defeat The Netherlands in the quarter-final stages of the Champions Trophy ©FIH



India will now face bitter rivals Pakistan in the semi-finals after their Asian rivals produced a stunning display of counter-attacking hockey to power past Olympic and world silver medallists The Netherlands.

Despite falling a goal down inside five minutes, Pakistan found their feet and began to sting their Dutch counterparts on the counter.

Muhammand Tousiq scored the equaliser early in the second quarter before Muhammad Imran fired low past the Dutch goalkeeper to give move the Asian Games silver medallists into lead.

Constantijn Jonker levelled the tie on 38 minutes as The Netherlands began to regain their initial dominance.

But, two goals in two minutes from Muhammad Irfan, gave Pakistan their first win of the tournament and their first Champions Trophy victory against the Netherlands since 1998.

The final semi-final berth was booked by world champions Australia as they ran away from World Cup bronze medallists Argentina.

Australia took an early lead in this encounter through Russell Ford on five minutes.

Lucas Vila equalised just minutes into the second period before Manuel Brunet put the Argentines ahead five minutes into the third.

Australia were back on par just two minutes later courtesy of Jeremy Haywary, his third goal of the tournament, before Daniel Beale and Chris Ciriello fired the Aussies into the semis with goals in the 42nd and 49th minutes.

The semi-finals are due take place on Saturday (December 13) alongside classification matches for fifth to eighth.

Here, England will face Argentina while Belgium will take on The Netherlands.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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