India's men's hockey team has reached the semi-final of the FIH World Cup for the first time since winning the 1975 edition in Kuala Lumpur, defeating Australia 3-2 in a quarter-final at Amsterdam's Wagener Stadium that will be remembered as one of the great moments in modern Indian hockey.

The result follows a group stage campaign in which India defeated Germany 4-1 and drew with the Netherlands before a comfortable 5-2 win over South Africa secured their quarter-final berth. The match against Australia was the decisive test: their traditional rivals had beaten India in every major tournament knockout phase in the past 22 years.

Harmanpreet Singh's two drag-flicks — each struck with technical precision that drew gasps from the capacity crowd — provided the difference. Goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh's saves from two Australian penalty corners in the final four minutes sealed the result.

India will face Spain or Belgium in the semi-final on Saturday. Should they win, it would be the first Hockey World Cup final appearance for India since 1975.