Utrecht, May 26: The Netherlands and Argentina qualified for the semi-finals from pool B with all-win records after four matches in the women's World Cup hockey tournament, here on Monday. The Dutch overwhelmed India 5-0.The home side, after early problems when they had to weather a couple of Indian attacks, came back strongly to polish off the challenge. After crossing over with a 3-0 lead, the Dutch struck twice more through Carol Patte and Hannekke Smabers.
India had begun well enough to force a penalty corner in the early minutes and Jyoti Sunita Kullu almost scoring. But the Dutch gradually gained control and after Ageeth Boomgaardt put them ahead from a penalty corner, the home team, backed by a capacity crowd of nearly 15,000, went all out.
Julie Dieters made it 2-0 in the 27th with a penalty corner goal and Carole Thate came tood with a penalty stroke and the Dutch crossed over with a 3-0 advantage. The Indians had their moments in the sun, as it were, but their inability to get the passesright inside the rival 25-yard area saw them concede ball possession rather tamely.
OTHER RESULTS GROUP A: Scotland bt China 2-1 (half-time 1-1). South Africa bt USA 2-1 (half-time 1-0).
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.