Hockey World Cup 2018: Australia routs England, China holds Ireland

Australia put three goals in the final quarter to beat England 3-0, while World Cup debutant China held Ireland to a 1-1 draw to keep its cross-over hopes alive in Pool B at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

Photo: AFP

In a testing first half against World No. 1 Australia, England had the better of the goalmouth action as it went close on multiple occasions. (AFP)

Photo: Getty Images

But defending champion Australia stepped up the gas in the third quarter and its patience paid off in the final quarter when Jake Whetton opened the scoring the 47th minute from Tom Craig's pass. (Getty Images)

Photo: Biswaranjan Rout

England looked rattled by the goal and three minutes later, Australia doubled its lead, courtesy of a superb reverse hit from star forward Blake Govers. (Biswaranjan Rout)

Photo: Getty Images

Corey Weyer added another in the 56th minute after some fantastic stickwork from Matthew Swann on the right wing to seal a 3-0 win for Australia. With the win, the Kookaburras became the first team in the Hockey World Cup 2018 to enter the quarters. (Getty Images)

Photo: Biswaranjan Rout

In the second match of the day, World Cup debutant China took advantage of Ireland's wastefulness in the penalty area to take a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute through Guo Jin's penalty corner strike. (Biswaranjan Rout)

Photo: AFP

China's lead lasted just one minute as Alan Sothern equalised in the 44th minute from a left-wing pass from Michael Robson. Ireland pushed for another goal in the dying minutes, but China held on. (AFP)

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In a testing first half against World No. 1 Australia, England had the better of the goalmouth action as it went close on multiple occasions. (AFP)