Hockey World Cup: World No. 3 Netherlands on Thursday became the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Hockey World Cup 2023, completing their league engagements with a 14-0 thrashing of Chile at the Kalinga Stadium, here
The Netherlands, the three-time winners of the Men's World Cup, finished unbeaten in Group C with nine points from three wins. Malaysia upset the higher-ranked New Zealand 3-2 in another Pool C match to finish second in the standings with six points from two wins. New Zealand, ranked 9th -- two spots ahead of Malaysia, ended third with three points as Chile finished with zero points after three defeats.
The Netherlands thus sealed a direct berth in the quarterfinals while Malaysia and New Zealand will go through the crossover matches.