BHUBANESWAR: Nine minutes. That’s all it took for Australia to remind the world why they are the best among equals at the World Cup. After a goalless first three quarters, the two-time defending champions flicked a switch and found the gaps to leave England needing a result against Ireland to even have a chance of advancing to the crossovers.
The World No 7 team, who had endured a frustrating day at the office against China in their opener, was the brighter of the two sides in the opening exchanges with captain Phil Roper missing a presentable chance from close range. That was one of the few high points as both sides preferred to be watchful in the opening 45 minutes.
Australia, who had by now begun to snuff out a few opportunities, pushed more men forward in the hope of pressurising their old enemy. That’s what happened when the impressive Tom Craig, one of the primary creators in the World No 1’s arsenal, found Jake Whetton free and he easily found the board behind George Pinner’s goal.
Rare forays inside England’s D soon became regular occurrences and the goals started to flow. Pretty soon, it was 2-0 after an unmarked Blake Govers drilled past a static defence to put Colin Batch’s men in a position of command. Any visions of a comeback were condemned to the folder marked dustbin after Corey Weyer scored the third and final field goal of the night four minutes from time.
The champions, who have now won 15 out of their last 15 matches at this level since that opening day defeat at the 2010 World Cup, next face China on December 7. With the win, Australia, who will next face China on December 7, became the first team to assure themselves of a spot in the last eight.
In the group’s other encounter — between Ireland and China — the latter continued to impress with their tenacity and pace on the counter. They, in fact, again took the lead but Ireland, who are still searching for their first World Cup victory in 48 years, hit back to equalise a minute later.