But the pool standings were thrown upside down with South Africa handing Australia a shock 3-2 defeat. New Zealand, who beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0, lead Pool A standings with seven points from two wins and one draw.

Australia and India have two wins each and have six points, while South Africa with one win and one draw have four points. India must win their last two games against Trinidad and Tobago and New Zealand to have a chance of making the semis. It is likely that goal differences will now come into play. So against Trinidad and Tobago, India must score heavily to strengthen their chances.

Skipper Dhanraj Pillay put India ahead in the fourth minute. Three minutes later, Dilip Tirkey made it 2-0 via a penalty corner rebound. David Hacker reduced the margin in the 17th minute.

However, Baljit Singh Dhillon, whohas been playing well in patches, struck two minutes later and in the 28th minute, Laxmanan Prabhakaran scored to make it 4-1.

Then India slackened once again and Simon Organ converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute to bring the half-time score to 4-2 in favour of India.

On resumption, Organ made it tight for India scoring his second goal with another penalty corner conversion in the 48th minute. Baljit Singh in the 60th minute with a reverse flick, and Mukesh Kumar with a solo sortie in the 67th minute, made it 6-3.

SOUTH AFRICA STUN AUSTRALIA: South Africa utilised Australia's lack of interest and stepped up their own game to register a stunning 3-2 win over the favourites. Australia, who could have ensured their passage into the semis with a win today, played at half their pace. It was South Africa's first ever win against Australia.

South African Greg Nicol opened the score in the fifth minute when he converted the second penalty corner. Michael Brennan equalised in the 13th minute.South Africa struck twice in less than 10 minutes as Murray Anderson and Justin King made it 3-1 at half time for the underdogs.

Stephen Davies reduced the margin in the 47th minute but failed to get an equaliser as South African goalkeeper Brian Myburgh was once again in excellent form.

KIWIS WIN 3-0: New Zealand did not impress in their 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in the Pool A match of the day. All their goals came in the opening half.

New Zealand scored first in the fourth minute through Hymie Gills who converted a penalty stroke. In the 18th minute, Umesh Parag made it 2-0 and Bevan Hari made it 3-0 in the 28th minute.