India to play for 5-6 th position

Hosts Malaysia finally registered a win in the tournament, winning 3-1 against Korea, but the result may not matter much for either team. With just three points in five matches, Malaysia are already out of the reckoning of even playing any classification match, and will not have to take the field on the final day.
Korea, meanwhile, have four points from five games, which means they theoretically have a chance of playing for the 3-4th spot, but there are too many permutations and combinations involved in that to make it seem a possibility.

Meanwhile, India are the only team to finish all their league matches and, with seven points from six games, are currently fifth. Practically, India and Korea – the joint defending champions – are set to clash for the 5-6th spot. With Friday a rest day, however, things may still get tricky, depending on how the last three matches on Saturday play out.

Australia are the only team that can relax. Except for the draw against India, they have won all their other four games and are currently on top with 13 points. Their win against Great Britain on Thursday means no team can even catch up with them, irrespective of results.

However, the battle for the second finalist is still on. If Pakistan beat Malaysia and Britain beat Korea, the two teams will be tied on points and the goal difference will come into picture. If Pakistan loses, it will play for the 3rd place. If Britain does, then it will play for 3-4 spot while Korea will climb up to level with India on points but still play for 5-6th spot. A draw for either Britain or Pakistan will be enough for them to reach the final, provided the other loses.

However, if both lose, and New Zealand beats Australia, the Black Sticks will overleap them into second spot and Britain and Pakistan will have to play each other for the 3rd spot.

But if New Zealand lose, then it will be a tie between India, New Zealand and Korea for a spot in the third-place playoff. However, a draw for New Zealand will be enough to ensure fourth spot in the table.
On Saturday, GB vs Korea, Pak vs Malaysia, Aus vs NZ.

Poits Table after Thursday

1.Australia Played 5, Points 13
2.Great Britain Played 5, Points 9
3.Pakistan Played5, Points 9
4.New Zealand Played5, Points 7
5.India Played6, Points 7
6.Korea Played5, Points 4
7.Malaysia Played5, Points 3