By Paul Osborne

England topped Pool A after a 1-1 draw with Belgium ©FIHEngland and Belgium played out a 1-1 draw to progress to the quarter-finals as Pool A's top two sides, while The Netherlands top Pool B despite a defeat to India, on the final day of group play at the Men's Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar.

World champions Australia also turned around their torrid start to the tournament by beating winless Pakistan, while Argentina cruised to a 3-0 win over Germany.

England came into their third-game encounter unbeaten, following wins over Australia and Pakistan earlier in the week.

Despite falling a goal down inside nine minutes, this streak would continue as Iain Lewers stroked home a backhand shot with 13 minutes left on the clock.

England had been on top for much of the game but saw numerous chances squandered in front of the Belgium goal.

George Pinner then put the Belgians ahead with a backhand stroke on the nine minute mark, only for Lewer to equalise in the closing quarter with a similar shot of his own.

A Jeremy Hayward double ensured Australia picked up their first win of the contest as they got the better of a struggling Pakistan side.

It was world number 11 Pakistan who got off to the better start with Muhammad Arslan Qadir hitting the outside of the goal following a great piece of skill by Muhammad Dilber.

This miss proved costly, however, as the Aussies began pummelling the Pakistan goal, pressing hard for the opener.

It came in the 23rd minute when Hayward pounced on the rebound of a penalty corner.

A Jeremy Hayward double ensured Australia recorded their first win of the tournament in India ©FIHA Jeremy Hayward double ensured Australia recorded their first win of the tournament in India ©FIH


Despite dominating from then on, Australia struggling to break open a sturdy Pakistani defence.

It was not until seven minutes from time that Hayward doubled his, and his team's, lead, flicking home from close range.

Jacob Whetton then completed the result with 90 seconds to go with a simple touch finding the back of the net.

"It was a good match and was good to put away a couple of goals, this was a team effort," said Hayward.

"We stuck to our game plan and this paid off in the end."

Argentina ended their Pool B campaign on six points after a 3-0 victory against Germany – their biggest ever win margin at the Champions Trophy.

A chanceless first period came and went without incident before captain Matias Paredes crashed in the opener just minutes into the second.

This lead was doubled before the break as Joaquin Menini clipped one into the corner of the net after being played through by Paredes.

The rout was completed on 49 minutes when Ignacio Ortiz popped past the onrushing Felix Reuss for 3-0.

Hosts India secured their first win of the competition with a close 3-2 victory over The Netherlands ©FIHHosts India secured their first win of the competition with a close 3-2 victory over The Netherlands ©FIH



Pool play was brought to an end by India as they recorded their first win of the tournament with victory over Olympic and world finalists The Netherlands.

This encounter remained goalless until the third quarter despite a flurry of chances from both sides.

SV Sunil's deflection finally opened the scoring in the Kalinga Stadium after 33 minutes, sending the full-capacity Kalinga Stadium into fits of euphoria.

The lead would not last long, however, as Mink van der Weerden knocked back a penalty corner to silence the home fans.

The crowd were back in full voice in the fourth quarter and were duly rewarded.

A Manpreet Singh goal, converting at the third attempt, and a Rupinder Singh penalty corner flick, gave the hosts a comfortable cushion with van der Weerden's late finish proving just a consolation for the visitors.

Players will now be handed a much needed rest tomorrow both quarter-final action gets underway on Wednesday (December 10).

Here, The Netherlands will take on Pakistan, Argentina will face Australia, England will play Germany and Belgium will battle India.

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