Australia strike late to put World Cup hopes in peril

England dropped to the bottom of their group in the men’s World Cup after suffering a 3-0 defeat against reigning champions Australia in India.

England’s hopes of progressing to the knockout phase will now hinge on the outcome of their final pool game against Ireland on Friday after goals during a nine-minute spell in the final quarter from Jake Whetton, Blake Govers and Corey Weyer sunk them.

The scoreline flattered the world No1 side, who were kept on their toes for much of the game by England. Mark Gleghorne forced Tyler Lovell to make a brilliant save and Phil Roper hit a post in the first half, but Australia upped the pace in the second half to maintain their perfect start to the tournament.

George Pinner was also on top form in the England goal, with two impressive first-half saves low to his right from Australian corners before charging off his line to tackle Daniel Beale as he shaped to shoot.

Gleghorne and Pinner combined to keep out Govers’s corner flick in the 35th minute as Australia ramped up the pressure, with the keeper on hand once again shortly afterwards to thwart Flynn Ogilvie.

There was nothing he could do to prevent the goals though as Whetton swept the ball into the corner, Govers struck with an remarkable no-look shot and Weyer slammed home a 56th-minute effort.

Ireland, meanwhile, drew 1-1 against China, with Alan Sothern scoring a final-quarter equaliser just a minute after Guo Jin had given China the lead.