No surprises: World's top four battle out in semifinals of Hockey World Cup

While Australia faces Germany in the first semifinals, Belgium will take on Netherlands in the second.

The four top-ranked sides expectedly made it to the semifinals of the FIH Men's World Cup but with little separating Australia, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium it is difficult to predict which two's quest for the title will continue after the last four stage matches in Bhubaneswar on January 27, 2023.

World number one Australia face Germany, ranked fourth in the FIH chart, in the first semifinal while defending champions Belgium take on last two edition's runner-up Netherlands in the second last four match in the Battle of Lowlands at the Kalinga Stadium.

Of the four teams, world number three and three-time champions Netherlands have had the easiest passage to the semifinals with a 5-1 win over South Korea, who punched above their weight, in their quarterfinal match.

Germany, who have won the tournament twice but made it to the last four for the first time since 2010, had the toughest route to the semifinals. They had to play in the crossovers after finishing second in their pool, while the other three teams directly qualified for the quarterfinals.

Germany were all but out of the semifinal race after trailing 0-2 till the 58th minute of their quarterfinal match against a brilliant England side but the never-say-die Die Honamas struck twice in the last two minutes through Grambusch brothers to take the game to the penalty shootout, which they won 4-3.

Australia, the last edition bronze medallists, may start as slight favourites against Germany but it will be anybody's game as the Kookaburras have also shown their vulnerability in the two of the four matches they have played in this World Cup so far.

The Australians needed a 58th minute goal from their star penalty corner expert Blake Govers to steal a draw against Argentina in their pool match.