Photo: Ashley Jackson tangles with Spain's Miguel Delas. Image courtesy of Pankaj Nangia / Action Plus Images.With India not playing until the final match today, the atmosphere in the ground was in total contrast to that which England played under on Saturday night.
England took on Spain in the final group match knowing that they had already booked a semi-final berth. Spain knew that they were realistically playing for a 5-6 play-off and needed at least a draw. England had only beaten Spain once in the World Cup before and that was in 1975.
Spain came out the more lively, as England seemed to lack the energy to compete well. Although England won two penalty corners, and there was some scintillating runs from James Tindall and Ashley Jackson, the majority of the first half was all Spain, with some good saves made again by James Fair. It was no surprise, then, when Spain won their first penalty corner a minute from time and specialist Pau Quemada drag-flicked it into the left hand corner of Fair's goal.
England started to push forward with more momentum in the second half and a great run by Jonty Clarke nearly resulted in a goal, but the ball hit Richard Alexander as he dived in. At the other end Ed Tibau looped a shot over the keeper but also over the goal.
Halfway through the second half and England had another chance to equalise when a sharp hit into the circle by Ben Hawes saw Iain Mackay's rising shot just past the post. But it was Spain who increased their lead with six minutes to go when a mistake in defence put Spain in possession and a one two with Quemada gave Tibau an easy chance to put the ball in the goal. 2-0 the final score.
There were a few more people in the stadium as Pakistan took on Australia in the second game. A win for Australia would put them top of the table after England's loss to Spain and the Australian's superior goal difference after their thrashing of South Africa.
It was Pakistan though who came out looking livelier, anxious to restore some pride and maybe finish higher than India in the group. When Pakistan won a corner the first shot was saved but the ensuing second was clinically put away by their specialist Sohail Abbas, putting him fourth on the all time World Cup goal scorer's list.
It wasn't until the second half that Australia showed why they are one of the favourites to take the title. After just three minutes Des Abbott hit a fierce shot from the top of the circle to finally beat Salman Akbar. Pakistan had a lot of forward play but were unable to make the pressure tell. Shakeel Abbas missing a glorious chance to retake the lead but his shot was way over the crossbar. Des Abbott then sealed the win for Australia with a lovely defection into the goal with just two minutes to go.
The stadium finally filled up a little more as India came out to play South Africa. With Pakistan having lost to Australia, and South African's huge loss to Australia, India did not have anything else but pride to play for in this match. South Africa however could relegate Pakistan to bottom of the group if they won.
Even without a full stadium the noise of the few shook around the ground, but the Indian supporters were stunned when South Africa took the lead after just seven minutes with a Lloyd Norris-Jones shot from the top of the circle. However, ten minutes later and India were level after a skillful run and shot by Sarvanjit Singh. India continue to press and won two penalty corners. The first was cleared. The second was not stopped but Arjun Halappa took control, passed the ball to Diwakar whose shot from the top of the circle beat everyone. Paul Blake nearly made it level when he dived in to meet a cross but his deflection was just wide.
South Africa started strongly in the second half and won a penalty corner. Good switch play and the ball finally found its way to Justin Reid-Ross who was waiting to push it into the net. All level. India then scored a fantastic goal only to have it disallowed, after a South African team referral, for a foul that had happened in the Indian circle. The subsequent penalty corner was converted with a flick by captain Austin Smith. India then camped in the South African half and Prabhjot Singh missed a golden chance to put it level. Wave after wave of attacks but still they couldn't score, nor even win a penalty corner.
When they finally did win a penalty corner, with seven minutes left, the goalkeeper was able to keep out the low shot and the ball was cleared. A scintillating run by captain Rajpal Singh saw a shot from Tushar Khandker saved again. But the ball eventually fell for Diwakar who hit the ball into the top of the net to equalise. India pushed forward again and again but were unable to win the match. Pakistan though will rue the misses as they will now play the 11/12 play off game on Thursday.
Summary of today's results in Pool B:
Spain 2 England 0
Australia 2 Pakistan 1
South Africa 3 India 3
