ROURKELA: Netherlands virtually sealed their quarter-finals spot in the Hockey World Cup after hammering New Zealand 4-0 at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela today.
The Dutch have a match in hand against Chile on Jan 19 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
As for Malaysia, coach Arul Selvaraj and his men need to beat New Zealand to finish second in Group C and have an 'easier' crossover opponent.
Netherlands were in a mean mood and scored off Thierry Brinkman (3rd, 13th), Koen Bijen (20th) and Tjep Hoedemakers (55th).
The Dutch had also beaten Malaysia 4-0.
RESULTS: Group C: Malaysia 3 Chile 2, Netherlands 4 New Zealand 0.