Netherlands advance to QFs after record-breaking 14-0 win over Chile, Malaysia down NZ 3-2

BHUBANESWAR: World No. 3 Netherlands on Thursday became the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Hockey World Cup 2023, completing their league engagements with a 14-0 thrashing of Chile at the Kalinga Stadium, here.

The Netherlands, the three-time winners of the Men's World Cup, finished unbeaten in Group C with nine points from three wins. Malaysia upset the higher-ranked New Zealand 3-2 in another Pool C match to finish second in the standings with six points from two wins. New Zealand, ranked 9th -- two spots ahead of Malaysia, ended third with three points as Chile finished with zero points after three defeats.

The Netherlands thus sealed a direct berth in the quarterfinals while Malaysia and New Zealand will go through the crossover matches.

Having defeated Malaysia and New Zealand in their previous matches, the Netherlands rode on a hat-trick of goals by drag-flicker Jip Janssen, who scored four goals in all, and Thierry Brinkman and a brace of goals by Bijen Koen to secure the biggest win of the tournament so far.

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