* World champs Australia will play Ireland
* Great Britain versus Pakistan
* Belgium to meet France
Great Britain rode on the numerical advantage on the pitch also saw the scoreline figures change dramatically – Great Britain 3 Malaysia 1 – which saw both teams complete their Group B fixtures on Sunday.
It was Malaysia’s second successive defeat in the World Hockey League Semi-Finals in Antwerp, Belgium, having lost to the hosts 2-0 earlier after wins over China (3-2) and Ireland (4-2).
Malaysia were reduced to 10 players after skipper Razie Rahim was sent to the sin bin. The absence of the influential Razie had a telling effect on the team as Great Britain came back from a goal down to win 3-1 which sent Malaysia to third place in the group.
With Belgium defeating Ireland in a later match, Malaysia will now face India for a place in the semi-finals. India were at the receiving end, losing 6-2 to world champions Australia in their final Group A match.
India have already qualified for the Rio Olympics by virtue of winning the Asian Games hockey gold by their new Dutch coach Paul van Ass. The Dutchman has been experimenting the Indian squad to build a strong India for the Rio Olympics.
Malaysia started on a bright note against Great Britain with Haziq Shamsul scoring after 14 minutes. But Britain made it all square in the 31st minute with David Condon hitting target after goalkeeper Rosland Jamaluddin saved Barry Middleton’s first attempt from their first penalty corner of the match.
Britain earned a second penalty corner in the 49th minute and this time Roslan was well beaten with Ashley Jackson’s direct flick. Britain 2-1. And it was all over for the Malaysians minutes later when Sam Ward scored from a field attempt.
Roslan has displayed fine form between the posts and his heroics have to be taken note of.
