Ireland crashed out while gifting China another chance to crack into the quarterfinals, following its 2-4 defeat to England in the final match of Pool B at the Hockey World Cup in Bhuvneshwar on Friday.
China was thrashed 0-11 by defending champions Australia but made the progression courtesy England’s victory over the Irish, who were pushed to fourth in the group. China finished at third – just enough to scrape through to the cross-over round where they face another team from the same situation to advance into the last eight.
Australia, however, continued its perfect run topping Pool B with 100% win record to stay in the hunt for a fourth World title and third in eight years. England came second after beating Ireland having drawn with China in their previous fixture.
In the crossovers, China will take on France, while England faces New Zealand on December 10.