England's Hockey World Cup hopes end with Netherlands quarter-final defeat

England's hopes of winning the Hockey World Cup on home soil are over following a quarter-final defeat to defending champions the Netherlands.

Danny Kerry's side were outclassed by the tournament favourites in London and were defeated 2-0 following goals from Lidewij Welten and Laurien Leurink.

The Netherlands will face Australia in the last four on Saturday, while Ireland, who defeated India in Thursday's other quarter-final, play Spain.

The Dutch had 11 shots to England's nought in the first half and went ahead at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre with just over a minute of the first period remaining.

Welten claimed the goal with a first-time finish through the legs of goalkeeper Maddie Hinch at the end of a flowing team move.

England could have fallen behind earlier when Caia van Maasakker hit the crossbar from a penalty corner, before Hinch denied the rebound.

Suzy Petty then hacked off the line following a goal scramble to prevent England falling behind in the second quarter.

The seven-time world champions were not to be denied for long and duly doubled their advantage in the opening stages of the second half.

Leurink added the finishing touch this time, slotting in to an unguarded net from close range after Frederique Matla drew England goalkeeper Hinch before squaring the ball.

The second goal gave the Dutch the cushion their play deserved and they progressed with relative ease as England offered little in response, managing just one shot at goal.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.