India meet Argentina on Sunday

Inda will take on Argentina in their opening match of the second stage in the men's junior World Cup hockey tournament on Sunday.

The Indians, who made sure of a place in the next round by topping Pool C on Friday, will now play a league along with Australia, the Netherlands and Argentina in Pool F for a berth in the semi-finals.

Pool E has England, Germany, Korea and Spain.

At the end of the 16-team preliminary league, India and Germany emerged as the only teams to win all their three matches. India also had the distinction notching up the most goals -- 15 for and just one against.

Germany scored 6 for and had three against.

Spain, who placed second behind India in Pool C, had 14 goals to their credit while conceeding four.

In the concluding matches of the first stage of the tournament on Saturday, Argentina beat New Zealand 3-0 to finish second in Pool D, behind Germany, who beat Malaysia 2-0 in another match.

In Pool B, the Netherlands emerged on top after easily beating France 2-0 while Korea took second position after a narrow 3-4 victory over South Africa.

Korea pip South Africa, take second place in Pool B

Korea staved off a late fightback from South Africa to prevail 4-3 and snatch a slot among the eight teams in the race for semi-final berths.

The Koreans were a goal up within six minutes through Jong Ho Seo, who scored after a good run into the circle. But the South Africans hit back through Ian Haley in the 20th minute from a penalty-corner.

Jong Seo was again on target for the Koreans, scoring from a penalty-corner in the 34th minute (2-1).

Then Shin Kyu Kang scored in the 50th minute (3-1) as the Koreans looked to have the match well under control. However, Dale Isaac reduced the margin (2-3) for the South Africans in the 52nd minute, two minutes before Dae Keun Oh could make it 4-2 for the Koreans.

Ian Haley got another goal (3-4) three minutes from time but that was all the South Africans could muster as the Koreans held on doggedly to snatch victory.

Holland easy winners over France

As expected Holland rounded off their engagements in Pool B with an easy 2-0 victory over France.

The Netherlands finished with two victories and one draw to take the top spot in the pool.

After a goalless first half, their skipper Roderick Weusthof scored both the goals, the first from a penalty-corner in the 42nd minute and the second in the 45th, to take his goal tally in the tournament to three.

Germany beat Malaysia to top Pool D

Germany were comfortable 2-1 winners over Malaysia in their concluding match of Pool D.

Malaysia, who had a slim chance of advancing into the elite group of eight by beating the Germans by a huge margin, did put up a fight but it was not enough to unsettle the Germans, who went through with an all-win record.

Max Landshut put Germany ahead in the 11th minute from a penalty-corner. The Germans then held a clear edge but were unable to get another goal till the breather.

In the second session, Florian Keller made it 2-0, also scoring grom a penalty-corner.

Eight minutes from time, Malaysia got due reward for their hard work as Jivan Mohan pulled one back with a stiff shot from the top of the circle.

Argentina rout New Zealand to snatch second spot in Pool D

A 3-0 victory over New Zealand gave Argentina the second place behind Germany in Pool D.

Two penalty-strokes by Juan Gilardi, in the 37th and 49th minutes, after Lucas Cammareri beat several defenders from a solo run to put Argentina ahead, put paid to whatever hopes the Kiwis may have entertained of making the elite group of top eight teams.

Complete Coverage: 7th Junior Men's World Cup 2001