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05/03/2010 World Cup day 5
England win but lose Mantell
A tournament-ending ankle injury to England's best defender Richard Mantell marred an otherwise excellent win over Pakistan on day five of the men's Hockey World Cup in New Delhi. Mantell was stretchered off in the 13th minute of the second-half after tumbling over a Pakistan player in the circle while defending a penalty corner. Pakistan's Rehan Butt, levelled the scores at 2-2 deflecting in a cross after the corner broke down.

England's coach Jason Lee was full of praise for the resilience of his side, who then made the game safe with two deflected goals from skipper Barry Middleton (52, 65) and a hard hit, cross-shot from Jonty Clarke. Mantell has dislocated his right ankle and Lee confirmed he will not play again in this World Cup. Fortunately the side has other defensive options, although Lee says much of the team's playing style has been moulded around Mantell's qualities. Earlier England had played steadily towards a 2-0 half-time lead before some squandered possession allowed Pakistan back into the game.

England's opener was one of the best goals of the tournament so far. Ben Hawes, temporarily at left-half, threw a 70m aerial ball to James Tindall on the left wing. Tindall's hard-hit corss found a sliding Clarke who roofed the shot (20mins). Ashley Jackson (32mins) added England's second . England's resources could be further depleted for their last two pool games. Iain Mackay earned a yellow card for a collision with Muhammad Irfan in the second half in an incident that could attract the attention of the tournament director. In other group B games, Australia knocked in a World Cup record-equalling 12 against a hapless South Africa – goals are too many to list but Jamie Dwyer (all field goals) and Luke Doerner (all PCs) both scored hat-tricks. South Africa had no answer to a rampant Australian team whose penalty corner routines have started to click ominously well..

In the final game of the day Spain outplayed India, and the crowd, 5-2. With one win from three games, the hosts semi-final chances now look slim, while Spain join Australia on two wins, behind England's three from three. England's remaining games are India on Saturday and Spain on Monday. Australia play Spain on Saturday, so one more win for England will will secure a semi-final place.

Day Six Preview
Day six sees some more potentially lop-sided encounters in group A. Korea vs New Zealand is potentially the best of the games. Netherlands should be far too good for Canada and it would be a n upset if the ruthless Germans lost to Argentina – although the Argentinians showed they should not be taken lightly when it took a last-minute Koran penalty corner to beat them on day four.


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