Australia in final despite draw

Pakistan and Spain needed victory to keep alive Friday8217;s fifth and final round of preliminary matches, but they will now be redundant in the leadup to the final.

Spanish hopes were sunk by a goal from Teun De Nooijer in the 45th minute, while England always had Pakistan8217;s measure with goals from Jonathan Wyatt and James Wallis in either half.

Tomorrow, the makeup of Australia8217;s final opponent in the women8217;s Champions Trophy tournament will be known between either Netherlands, Germany or Argentina.

Pakistan played into England8217;s hands to lose a game they had to win and as aconsequence bowed out of the men8217;s Champions Trophy.

England can make Sunday8217;s bronze-medal game if they can improve on parts of their game and beat the struggling Olympic and world champions Netherlands on Friday.

Australian coach Terry Walsh said his team were looking for a draw to secure passage to Sunday8217;s final.

Pakistan played into England8217;s hands to lose a game they had to win and bowed out of the tourney.

The Pakistanis crashed out in the penultimate preliminary round game 2-0 to England, who were pointless going into their fourth match. Pakistan said they along with the fallen Dutch have been victims of the experimental foot-contact rule and found it difficult to score through the packed defences and shortage of penalty corner opportunities.

Pakistan can still salvage something out of the wreckage if they can get a result against Australia in Friday8217;s last game and to make the play-off for third place on Sunday.