• India v England, Hockey World Cup

England hold on to qualify for semi-finals

Captain Barry Middleton was man of the match in a physical encounter against the hosts India © Getty Images

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India 2-3 England

England held off a late charge by hosts India to seal their place in the World Cup semi-finals.

Two goals from Ashley Jackson and one from striker James Tindall gave England a 3-0 lead, but India fought back and nearly grabbed a late equaliser.

Spurred on by a vocal home crowd, India started strongly, and the England defence, without the stalwart Richard Mantell, who flew home after breaking his leg against Pakistan, weathered an early storm.

England nearly went ahead when Jackson capitalised on a defensive error, but his reverse-stick shot flashed past goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza's left post. But it was 1-0 soon after when Tindall netted his third goal of the tournament. Nick Catlin's ball in was deflected goalwards by Richard Alexander, and Tindall was on the right post to put England ahead and silence the crowd.

The goal gave England confidence, they enjoyed much of the better chances in the first half, and India were camped out in their own half for much of the first half. However, they were dangerous on the counter-attack, and James Fair pulled off a spectacular save to keep England ahead. Just moments later, he kept India at bay again, saving well from Diwakar from an India penalty corner.

India captain Rajpal Singh nearly got his side on level terms soon after the break, fizzing in a shot on the turn, but the ball sneaked just wide of Fair's post. But it was England who got the next goal, Jackson converting a penalty corner with a stunning drag flick into the roof of the net. And after a goalmouth scramble, Jackson was able to nudge Nick Catlin's strike over the line.

At 3-0 it looked like England were cruising, but India refused to give in, and Gurwinder Singh Chandi got his side back in the match, finishing a good move from Gurbaj Singh's cross to make it 3-1 and bring the crowd back to life. The goal stunned England, and they were on the back foot, and when Rajbal deflected the ball past Fair, it looked like a spectacular comeback was on the cards.

But two yellow cards for Sardah Singh and Gurbaj Singh in the last five minutes left India reduced to nine men. But it was a nervous final few minutes, with Rajbal missing a gilt-edged chance to equalise. Glenn Kirkham had a chance to put the match beyond India in the dying minutes, but Jason Lee's men were able to see out the match for their fourth win from as many matches.

Elsewhere in Pool B, Australia beat Spain 2-1 to maintain their push for a semi-final spot, while South Africa got their first win with a tight 4-3 victory four-time champions Pakistan. England's four wins from four mean they have already qualified for the semi-finals, but they will want to beat Spain in their final group match on Monday to ensure they qualify top of the group.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.