Australia emerge group champions, loss for England

New Delhi, Mar 8 : Australia beat Pakistan 2-1 and emerged as toppers in Pool B while European champions England suffered their first loss as they went down 0-2 to Olympic silver medallists Spain and became the second team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Desmond Abbot struck twice for a brace for Australia while Sohail Abbas converted a penalty corner for Pakistan, who led 1-0 at the half time.

Earlier in the day, England paid the price of taking things lightly as Spain took the lead after Pau Quemada converted a Penalty Ccorner in the 35th minute and Eduard Tubau doubled the lead in the 64th.

For Spain it was their fifth win against England in seven World Cup matches. Their last defeat came in a qualification match in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur

Spain, who are now out of the semi-final race, were on the attacking mode right from the start and their defence stood rock solid with goalkeeper Ferncisco Cortes putting up some excellent saves.