Britain beat Pakistan to reach World Hockey League semis

ANTWERP: Great Britain narrowly beat Pakistan by 2 goals to 1 on Wednesday, sinking hopes of three-time Olympic champions Pakistan for a place in the semi-finals of the World Hockey League.

Two early field goals from Chris Griffiths (4th minute) and Alastair Brogdon (9th) placed Great Britain in control and Pakistan could only pull one back through Umar Bhutta (52nd) in a touch second half.

With the victory, Britain has now set up a semi-final against number one-ranked side Australia as well as qualified for the 2016 Olympics.

The loss to Great Britain has pushed Pakistan on the brink, but a strong finish in the playoffs for the fifth to eight spots could still secure them a place in the Olympic Games lineup.

Dual qualification by some of the continental champions could allow even teams that fail to make the semifinals here to qualify for Rio de Janeiro.

Earlier, world champions Australia trounced Ireland 4-1 in Antwerp to book their place in the semi-finals.

Ireland will now face Pakistan in the play-off's on Friday with a place at the 2016 Olympics at stake.