Hockey World Cup 2023, Day 4 round-up: Malaysia, Netherlands, France triumph; Argentina holds Australia

The 2023 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup continued on Monday, entering Day 4. The day began with the Group C meeting between Malaysia and Chile at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. The former came up with the conquest, which was its opening win of the event. It all began in the 20th minute when Juan Amoroso scored the opener for Chile, followed by Razie Rahim's equaliser six minutes later. However, Martin Rodriguez restored Chile's lead in the 29th, as the latter went into the half-time break with the charge. In the 41st, Adrian Henriquez levelled it again for Malaysia before Norsyafiq Sumantri scored the eventual winner for the side the next minute.

The final quarter of the contest did not see any convincing action from either side, with Malaysia defending well. Malaysia's Firhan Ashari and Chile's Franco Becerra were green-carded on the 20th, while Razie Rahim of Malaysia saw the same colour ten minutes later. In the 45th, Malaysia's Hajib Hasaan and Chilean goal-scorer Amoroso were yellow-carded. Zul Pidaus Mizun of Malaysia saw a yellow a couple of minutes later, while in the 55th, Amoroso was handed his second yellow of the afternoon.

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In the other Group C clash, New Zealand was up against the Netherlands at the same venue, and the latter was in tremendous form, pummeling four past the former and winning 4-0. It all started in the third minute when Dutch skipper Thierry Brinkman fired in the opener through Tjep Hoedemakers' assist, followed by his brace ten minutes later via an assist from Steijn van Heijningen.

In the second quarter, Koen Bijen scored the third through Jonas de Geus's assist in the 20th, as the Netherlands was up 3-0 at the half-time break. While the third quarter was a silent one from either side, in the final quarter, in the 55th, Tjep Hoedemakers tapped in after an assist from Thijs van Dam, which eventually turned out to be the winner.

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In the 45th, Blair Tarrant of the Kiwis earned a green card, which was the only booking of the match. While New Zealand will take on Malaysia in the final group game on Thursday, the Netherlands goes up against Chile on the same day, with both contests to be played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.

Monday also saw Group A commitments as France took on South Africa in Bhubaneshwar. It turned out to be a competitive encounter, while the former emerged victorious, with a 2-1 victory. It began in the eighth minute when Victor Charlet put in the opener for the French through a Jouin Noe assist. However, Connor Beuchamp fired in the equaliser at the stoppage time of the opening quarter through a penalty corner.

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After a couple of intensely-fought couple of quarters, it was in the closing stages of the final quarter when in the 57th, Charlet scored his brace and winner for France through a PC. While Mattéo Desgouillons was green-carded on the 11th, SA's Senzwesihle Nubane too saw green on the 30th, whereas France's Francois Goyet also saw the same colour six minutes later. While the French have climbed to the third spot with this success, the South Africans are virtually out of the tournament.

The following Group A encounter between Argentina and world number one Australia at the same venue was settled for an intriguing 3-3 draw. It started in the tenth minute, with Hayward Jeremy converting a PC to hand the Australians the lead. However, nine minutes later, the Argentines equalised, thanks to Domene Thomas's successful conversion of a PC.

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At the stroke of half-time in the second quarter, the Kangaroos restored their lead, thanks to Beale Daniel, which was reviewed by the TV umpire for a long time. Three minutes into the third quarter post the break, Argentina levelled again through Maico Casella after he received a simple pass in front of the goal.

In the final quarter, the Argentines took the lead this time, with Martin Ferreiro playing past the Australian defence in the 49th. However, the Australians were never to back down, as Blake Govers drew the equaliser nine minutes later through a free-hit before the final hooter. The Kangaroos play South Africa in their last group contest in Rourkela on Friday, while Argentina takes on France at the same venue on that day.