India defeated South Korea 3-0 in the 2014 Hockey World Cup playoffs for the ninth position, dropping one spot from their eighth-place finish in the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi.

A brace from Akashdeep Singh and a goal from Rupinder Singh Pal ensured India finished their hockey World Cup campaign with a win to finish ninth.

Australia have won the World Cup twice (in 1986 and 2010), while Netherlands have inscribed their name on the trophy three times - in 1973, 1990 and 1998.

Netherlands hammered Argentina 4-0 in the semifinals at the Kyocera Stadium here on Thursday night to earn a shot at the title against two-time champions Australia, who entered the final with a 3-1 win in the shootout against United States after the two teams were tied 2-2 in regulation period.

India take on South Korea in the 9th place play-off tie on Saturday.

India conceded four early goals in their group stage match against the rampaging champions Australia.

Netherlands played a relaxed 1-1 draw with New Zealand in their last league fixture and still topped Group B with 13 points from five outings. Argentina, who earned their maiden men's World Cup semifinals with a 5-1 win over South Africa, finished second in the group with 12 points, ousting reigning Olympic champions Germany from the semifinal race.

India and South Korea finished fifth in Group A and Group B respectively.

Argentina's victory, their fourth in five outings, gives them 12 points and ousts Olympic champions Germany from the semifinal race.

Iain Lewers placed a penalty stroke into the left corner of the goal in the 66th minute to score England's match-winner and secure their second successive semifinal in the Hockey World Cup.