England exhibited superb scoring skills and then a cool and collected temperament when things went against them, to earn the first right to be in the semifinals. The resurgent England overcame full-throated crowd to defeat India 2-3 in a pulsating match. England survived anxious moments and unrelenting Indian attacks before holding the slender margin of solitary goal till the hooter, to return to pavilion with full three points.

Ashley Jackson scored a goal apiece in the 42nd and 47th minute, while James Tindall punched the first goal.

Pakistan lost to South Africa 3-4, their first defeat at the hands of Africa in the history of World Cup, and Australia, despite struggling, came betrer of Spain (2-0). Luke Doerner and Glen Turner scored the Aussies.

When India trailed 0-3 midway through, Coach Brasa sent youngsters Sarwanjit Singh and Diwakar ram, and it helped to increase the tempo. It paid dividends.

First Baljit Singh Chandi and then Rajpal Singh scored, and the entire team held their famed rival on toes. However, Rajpal is guilty of missing a sitter early in the second half, and then in the dying moments.

“We deserved a point from this match, I am sorry I missed the pass given by Arjun”, said Rajpal Singh.

On the field, Shivender proved why he is a key player in the scheme of things.

He combined well with other forwards, younger ones indeed, to make the contest close one.

In the dying moments, India suffered two temporary suspensions, one to Sardar Singh and the other to man-in-form Gurbaj Singh. “I agree the decision insofar as Sardar, he was in hurry to get the ball, but the one Gurbaj got was due to misunderstading from the umpires”, coach Brasa said in a post match discussion.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan suffered a humilating loss against South Africa (3-4) while in the first match of day seven, Australia overcame stiff Spain 2-0.

With three wins and a loss, Australia is firmly moving towards the semifinal slot.

Four times World Cup winner Pakistan today was down 1-4 at one point of time before scoring a brace in the last two minutes.

It is infact Pakistan that took the lead in the 6th minute with a goal from Rehan Butt. Thereafter its spirited African side that dictated the terms, scoring four goals in the 38th, 41st, 46th and 54 th minute.

While lowly rated Africa was precise in shooting from inside the circle, Pakistan on the other hand was anything but precise.

Pakistan in the first half also suffered a goal reversed due to third umpire’s referral.

Sloppy Pakistan forwards came alive for a brief spell late in the last five minutes, Imran md. scoring off teams 5th PC. At the stroke of 70th minute Pakistan survived a referral, and then went on to score the third goal off the third PC in the 70th minutes, played after the hooter.