Day 3 of the tournament saw both Pools reach their final standings as twelve games of hockey culminated with all the excitement, skill and high-level contest with which they began. In Pool A, Korea joined the already-qualified France after their attritional 1-0 win over South Africa, claiming the only clean sheet of the tournament so far in the process. Wales earned an impressive draw that ended France’s perfect record, a game in which four goals of the highest-standard left the scoreline 2-2. With just two points, however, Wales find themselves third in the group and heading to the 5th-8th place play-offs.

In Pool B, New Zealand completed their third win of the tournament and their third resurgence from a losing position to beat Pakistan 4-3. Pakistan, having been 3-1 in the lead, were forced to watch on from the stands as Malaysia played Japan with the chance of hurdling Pakistan on points difference. The hosts gave themselves an excellent chance of qualification for the semi-finals, finding themselves 2-0 up going into the final quarter, but a late Japanese goal dragged Malaysia back down into third in the pool, sending them into the 5th-8th place play-offs. Play resumes on Friday as Pakistan join New Zealand in qualifying from Pool B and France and Korea progress from Pool A, forming an enthralling pair of semi-finals

DATE . June/20/2025