Hockey World League: Quarter-final draw pits India against Malaysia

India take on Malaysia in the quarters

The quarter-final draw for the Hockey World League (HWL) semi-final is out with 9th ranked India facing Asian counterparts Malaysia on 1st July. India finished 2nd in Pool A after 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss while Malaysia came 3rd in Pool B with 2 wins and 2 losses.

India were assured of a top-two finish in Pool A after Pakistan failed to beat France in the first match yesterday. However, a heavy defeat at the hands of Australia resulted in them failing to secure the top spot.

Australia, having finished top of the pile, will face Ireland, who finished 4th in Pool B. The Hockeyroos have established themselves as the team to beat in the tournament having won all their matches, beating India 6-2, Poland 4-0, Pakistan 6-1 and France 10-0. Ireland, on the other hand, lost two of their matches, while beating China 6-0 and getting an impressive draw against Great Britain.

Belgium, courtesy of finishing top of Pool B, will face the 4th-placed team in Pool A – France. The Belgians remained undefeated in the group stage, drawing against Great Britain while winning their remaining matches. France, after their horrific loss against the World No. 1 Aussies, redeemed themselves by narrowly losing against India, beating Poland and sneaking an unlikely draw against Pakistan.

Pakistan will take on Great Britain in what is expected to be a closely-contested affair. The Europeans finished 2nd in the group with two wins and two draws, while Pakistan’s solitary win, which came against Poland, saw them finish third in the group. They were handsomely beaten by Australia, while they could only manage draws against France and arch-rivals India.

Elsewhere, the bottom-placed teams in both Pools – Poland (Pool A) and China (Pool B) – will fight for the 9th spot in the first match on the day.

All the matches will be played on 1st July.

Event	Match	Time
9th / 10th	Poland vs China	14:00
Quarter-final 1	Australia vs Ireland	16:30
Quarter-final 2	Great Britain vs Pakistan	19:00
Quarter-final 3	India vs Malaysia	21:30
Quarter-final 4	Belgium vs France	00:00 (2nd July)