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Germany's Matthias Witthaus (3rd L) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the fitfh goal during their match against New Zealand at the men's Hockey World Cup in New Delhi - Source: Reuters -
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Germany thumped New Zealand 5-2 to storm into the semi-finals of the men's World Cup on Wednesday, keeping alive their bid for a third successive title.
Olympic champions Germany completed the six-team pool A league with 11 points following their third victory, to qualify for the last-four for the 11th straight time.
In-form Netherlands take on South Korea later on Wednesday in a match that will decide the second team to progress from this group. Canada play Argentina in the day's last match.
On Tuesday tournament favourites Australia and European champions England progressed to the semi-finals from pool B.
Germany raced to a 3-0 lead in a series of speedy attacks to score through Christoph Menke, Florian Fuchs and Philip Witte.
"If we go on like this anything is possible," Germany's man of the match Matthias Witthaus told official broadcasters, referring to the prospect of winning a third straight World Cup.
New Zealand rallied through goals by Shea Mcaleese and Nicholas Wilson before top-ranked Germany regained control through goals by Moritz Furste and Witthaus.
