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Colin Batch and his troops -- being the World No. 1 -- were always the favourites to win the match.
The coach had demanded a more consistent game from his boys as they had quite a few nervy moments in their previous two matches (against Ireland and England) even though they went on to win them.
His expectations surpassed by his boys as The Kookaburras had a much more fluent game and played with real gusto. They were in cruise control throughout the 60 minutes and handed China an 11-0 thrashing.
The tie held more importance for China than it did for Australia. The Kookaburras were already through to the quarterfinal stages after getting the six points from their first two games.
However, Kim Sang-Ryul's side were completely outdone by their far superior opponents.
The Australians were right into the business and not taking the game loosely at all. They made quite a few chances early on and dominated the possession.
The Chinese also started well and were pressing high up, ensuring that their opponents do not get the momentum. However, it was all the Men in Yellow once they got the first breakthrough.
It was a high scoring blitz henceforth and a goal fest for the spectators present at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. Once Australia got flowing, then they were just too hard to defend and were just ruthless for the opposition.
Blake Govers, Aran Zalewski, Thomas Craig, Jeremy Hayward, Jake Whetton, Timothy 'Tim' Brand, Dylan Wotherspoon, and Flynn Ogilvie -- all found the back of the net in the thrilling match against China.
How many times do you see 8 different names on the scoresheet during a hockey match? That too at the biggest stage in the World Cup.
An 11-0 win meant that Australia came close to breaking their own World Cup record of the biggest win they had set in 2010 (after defeating South Africa 12-0).
It is an extremely difficult task chalking out the 3 standout players from this match as the Australians were all marvelous on the field and the talent they displayed was no less than a spectacle for the viewers.
Here are the three players who made a huge impact in the game:
#3 Jeremy Hayward (Australia)
Hayward was always in the thick of things. The Aussies won 3 back-to-back Penalty corners in the 22nd minute.
As Govers was not on the field, Jeremy was the drag-flicker. The 25-year-old defender got it right in his third attempt and fired in a low shot towards the bottom right corner past China's goalkeeper Wang Caiyu.
The youngster also made plenty of crucial interceptions throughout the game. His movement and reading of the game was exquisite.
Hayward did all the hard work to snatch the ball from a Chinese player, make a well-timed run, and then lay it off to Blake Govers -- who fired it in the back of the net to complete his hat-trick.
There was never a dull moment whenever Hayward had the ball as he worked tirelessly to help his team to such a good result.
His positive intent is sure to help the Aussies in the coming games as well and Colin Batch would be proud of his performance.
#2 Eddie Ockenden (Australia)
Captain Eddie Ockenden was always there at the back for the Aussies whenever needed. The 31-year-old midfielder -- despite not finding his name on the scoresheet -- finds his name on this list.
Ockenden was rock solid for Australia at the back. Whenever China posed even a little bit of a threat then he was there to intercept the ball.
He really was always calm and composed on the ball and proved indeed that he is the most experienced player on the pitch.
Ockdensen even made a vital interception as China were on the break in the final minute. However, he did not even allow the men in red to have their consolation goal and ensured his side maintained the clean sheet.
The Australian team always does well under the leadership of the Tasmania-born player. The highly gifted midfielder was part of the Australian team when they lifted the trophies at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, respectively.
He would want to extend his glorious career by leading Australia to a hat-trick of World Cup titles. The vocal player will play a vital part in the quarterfinal match as well.
#1 Blake Govers (Australia)
Australia got their first Penalty corner in the ninth minute and the Kookaburras had the lead with a fine drag flick from Blake Govers.
Govers displayed brute power and amazing quality. He flicked it right into the top right corner. The Aussie player also sent in a lot of good through balls and was undoubtedly the most outstanding player on the pitch.
The No. 13 worked hard and constantly received appreciation from Colin Batch and his teammates from the sidelines -- which further spurred him to keep pushing himself.
Harvie won Australia's third Penalty corner in the 19th minute. Govers fired it into the goal again. It was a bit unlucky from the Chinese perspective as the ball took a wicked deflection off Guo Xiaoping to end up in the back of the net.
The young player found his third goal from open play. Hayward sent the ball in his path with a smart push and Govers hit it first time past the helpless Ao.
The 22-year-old is looking much more mature as a player and his monstrous drag flicks are sure to be of immense value for the team in the future stages of the tournament. The high-quality flicker has a lot to look forward to in the quarterfinal match.
Govers even assisted the 6th goal and did really well to trap the ball from a quick long pass. He found Jake Whetton, who in turn deflected the ball home brilliantly after diving full stretch on the ground.
The Kookaburras finish at the top of Pool B in emphatic fashion after a thumping win. Colin Batch would have no complaints from this match as his team made 42 circle entries and got 17 shots away. Comparatively, China had just one shot on goal from their six circle entries.
There were many other players who were exceptional in the match. It was a phenomenal team effort from Australia.
They just did not allow China to have any sort of possession. The switch play between the two flanks was also of top-notch quality. Number 26 Dylan Wotherspoon assisted Aran Zalewski for the second goal.
Tom Craig scored the third goal for Australia in the 16th minute through a neat finish. It was some unselfish play by the Australians to get the 7th goal -- Ogilvie Flynn found Tim Brand in the 33rd minute who deflected it in smartly.
Australian No. Dawson was intent on keeping a clean sheet. There was a rare break from China and a red shirt was waiting in a dangerous position.
Dawson made a full-length dive to stop the ball from reaching its target man. Matthew Swann was a livewire as usual. However, he only played in the first half.
There is a reason why Australia are the World Champions.
The Kookaburras now have a five-day break before they play their quarterfinal match. All eyes are now on the England vs Ireland game. China would hope that it is anything but a draw.
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