England hammer Cuba 7-0

England demolished World Cup debutantes Cuba 7-0 to stay a step behind Pool B leaders Australia and Korea in Wednesday's penultimate match in the men's hockey World Cup.

The victory swelled England's points tally to six from three matches - the same as Malaysia. However, they have a far superior goal difference of +7 against the host nation's -1.

England were four goals up by half-time and it was only a question of how many more they could add in the second session.

Dave Mathews, with a penalty-stroke and penalty-conversion, scored two goals while Danny Hall, Jerome Goudie, Mark Pearn, Tom Bertram and Ben Sharpe got one each.

Mathews now has three goals to his name, one short of the tournament's top scorers Sohail Abbas of Pakistan and Korea's Song Seung Tae.

England play a downcast India on March 1 while Cuba will be looking to avoid a cricket score against the mighty Aussies on the same day.

Song Seung Tae scores brace in Korea's 3-0 win over Japan

In the last match of the day's programme, in Pool B, Korea beat Japan 3-0 to register their third straight victory.

The Koreans led by a goal at the breather. Lee Jung Seon put them ahead in the 24th minute, firing home a penalty-corner.

Song Seung Tae scored twice -- in the 41st and 60th minutes, the second goal from a penalty-corner, to complete the tally.

In the process, Tae emerged the joint top scorer of the tournament along with Pakistan's Sohail Abbas, with four goals.

Korea play host nation Malaysia next on March 1 while Japan face Poland.

Mail Sports Editor