While Germany, the defending champions, stayed on course for a historic hat-trick of World Cup crowns with a 4-1 victory over England in the first semi-final, the Aussies, who lost to the Germans in the last two editions of hockey's showpiece event, got the better of The Netherlands 2-1 in a closely-contested match later.
Going by the teams' past 4-4 win-loss record in World Cups, there is little to separate the two hockey powerhouses. But a win on Thursday will not only earn one of them a spot in the title clash, but also give them the edge when it boils down to rivalry between the two countries in the tournament.
Desmond Abbott struck twice to lead Australia to a come from behind 2-1 win over Pakistan and into the semifinals of the hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.
Thanks to some attacking hockey by the 12 participating countries, the ongoing World Cup is heading towards becoming the most high-scoring one with a whopping 117 goals scored so far at the halfway stage.
High on confidence after their first win in the hockey World Cup, Argentina coach Pablo Lombi today said the victory would boost his team's morale ahead of the last pool A match against traditional rivals Canada, who has always been a thorn in the flesh for his side.
Defending champions Germany scraped past plucky Argentina 4-3 in a Pool A match of the men's hockey World Cup match at the Major Dhyan Chand National stadium in Delhi on Friday night.
A semi-final spot virtually out of their grasp after back-to-back defeats, India brace up for another tough battle when they take on a European champions England in their next pool B match of the hockey World Cup in New Delhi on Saturday.
India suffered an embarrassing defeat to Australia, going down 2-5 in their second outing of the 12th men's hockey World Cup at the Dhyan Chand stadium in Delhi on Tuesday night.
European champions England registered their second straight victory in the hockey World Cup on Tuesday, defeating a lowly South Africa 6-4 in a high-scoring second Pool B match at the Major Dhyan Chand National stadium in Delhi.
Foreign players on Monday said that the newly-laid Poligras turf at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, which is hosting the 12th hockey World Cup, is a little bumpy and creates problems in trapping the ball.
Germany captain Maximillian Muller on Monday said Korea surprised them with two early strikes but expressed happiness at the comeback in the second half of their hockey World Cup Pool A match at Dhyanchand National Stadium.
Following are the images from the FIH Hockey World Cup at Dhyan Chand National stadium on Sunday.
Sandeep Singh scored twice as India beat Pakistan 4-1 in their opening match of the 12th men's Hockey World Cup in Delhi on Sunday.
Formidable Spain started their hockey World Cup campaign on a perfect note, outclassing lowly South Africa 4-2 in the inaugural match of the quadrennial event at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.
Hosts India defeated Netherlands 2-1 in their second practice match ahead of the forthcoming hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Friday.
Australia hockey captain Jamie Dwyer is looking forward to playing in the Hero Honda FIH World Cup to be held in New Delhi's Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from February 28 to March 13 next year and reckons defending champions Germany as the team to be most feared.
'I feel both deserve to be honoured with Bharat Ratna. Why not? They are our national heroes who have been inspiring a generation of sportspersons and will continue to do so'
Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday praised star pacer Mohammed Shami and para-archer Sheetal Devi after being honoured with the Arjuna Award in Delhi.
The hosts beat Japan 1-0 to win the 5th Women's Asia Cup hockey tournament in New Delhi.
They gathered in Delhi to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1952 Games.
Sharath is the lone Khel Ratna award recipient, 25 sportspersons, including shuttlers Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, woman boxer Nikhat Zareen, track and field athletes Eldhose Paul and Avinash Sable, were conferred with the Arjuna Award.
Men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet, under whose leadership India won a second successive bronze medal at the Olympics, said the honour is a recognition of his "fascinating" journey in which he still has plenty more to achieve.
Padma Bhushan recipient PR Sreejesh, a legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper, expressed his gratitude for the honor, stating that India has given him more than what he has contributed to the sport.
For women's hockey goalkeeping stalwart Savita Punia, the Padma Shri is more than a national honour -- it is a quiet acknowledgement of years marked by sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering belief, both her own and that of a family that stood by her when the odds were firmly stacked against her.
'The new mindset of young India no longer settles for mere participation; it aspires to clinch medals and victories.'
India on Friday officially submitted its proposal to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking a significant step in its ambition to bring the multi-sport event back to the country after two decades.
After retiring from international hockey in 2012, Abbas kept a low profile. He took up his first coaching role as an assistant coach for penalty corners with the Malaysia national team in October 2024.
The 28-year-old fashion entrepreneur walked the ramp for designer Varun Bahl.
Athletes lauded for their performances on National Sports Day
Vinesh Phogat returned her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award to the government protesting against the election of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh-loyalist Sanjay Singh.
Sports Ministry confirms Satwik, Chirag for Khel Ratna, Shami and 25 others for Arjuna award
Shooter Manu Bhaker won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics while Gukesh was crowned the World Chess Champion in Singapore, last month.
Kalinga Lancers on Sunday edged out Delhi Waveriders.
1975 World Cup-winning captain Ajit Pal Singh will supervise its functioning.
The defence ministry, in March, had circulated an office memorandum to the three services and various ministries and departments on the planning for the 2024 parade, they said.
India's junior female hockey players were in for a surprise as the country's ODI cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni met them.
Olympic bronze-winning Indian men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh was on Tuesday added to the list of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees, taking the total number of this year's winners to an unparalleled 12.
The 33-year-old midfielder from Punjab, a place synonymous with Indian hockey folklore, now stands as the second-highest capped Indian men's player of all time, behind only former Captain and current Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey (412 caps).
AIFF President Praful Patel congratulated Chhetri on being conferred with the Khel Ratna.
The process to pick this year's national sports awards has been delayed because of the nation-wide lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic and the applications will be invited next month, a Sports Ministry official said. The ministry generally invites the nominations for the awards in April while the ceremony to confer them is held on August 29 on the occasion of National Sports Day celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
