HOBART (Australia), Oct 13: Argentina, South Korea and Netherlands have qualified for the playoffs in the top half of the Junior World Cup here today.

They join Australia, Spain, England, India and Germany in two new pools where the top 2 teams from the new pools will play in the semi-finals late next week.

South Korea out-stayed a game South Africa 4-3 with South Africa playing catch-up throughout the match and losing only through two defensive lapses.

“We have improved throughout the tournament and I was proud of the boys today,” said South Africa coach Kevin Sutcliffe.

Netherlands were unconvincing in their 2-0 win against a skilful France.

Roderick Weusthof scored twice when France had two players under suspension but Netherlands otherwise failed to impress.

Germany were lacklustre in their 2-2 draw with Malaysia. Ahead 2-0 from two penalty corner conversions and with 27 minutes still to play, Germany allowed Malaysia back into the match, conceding a penalty corner goal, a field goal and drawing the ire of coach Uli Forstner.

“My players did not have the right mental approach. The forwards were slow in the head and had no ideas. I had the feeling my players did not want to win the game,” he said.

Argentina beat New Zealand 3-0, destroying any chance New Zealand had to be a top eight contender. New Zealand contributed to their own downfall, conceding three penalty strokes, with two converted by Juan Gilardi.

“We start a new tournament now,” said Argentina’s coach Alejandro Verga.

While the reaction from New Zealand coach Craig Hobbs was simply: “We are devastated.”

In the top eight matches Sunday, Spain play Germany, England meet Korea and India play Argentina. Netherlands play Australia, billed as the match of the day to create local interest in what has been a poorly attended tournament.

In the bottom half of the tournament Sunday, Ireland play France, Chile play South Africa, Scotland meet Malaysia and Canada face New Zealand.

Collated results:

Pool B

South Africa 3 Korea 4

Netherlands 2 France 0

Pool D

Germany 2 Malaysia 2

New Zealand 0 Argentina 3

—AFP