It was,a result which also ensured Australia - who had drawn 0-0 with New Zealand earlier in the day - would join them as runners up ahead of South Korea in Group A.

Australia's men also secured a semi-final place as a 4-0 win over a young India side left them top of Group A with five wins out of five.

And with the final round of qualifiers coming up tomorrow in Group B, The Netherlands men, currently three points clear of Argentina at the top, will go through even if they lose their final qualifier against New Zealand.

The Australian men's progress appeared to have come at a heavy cost as their captain Mark Knowles was carried off on a stretcher with a neck injury after colliding with an Indian opponent.

Happily it was later reported that Knowles had been released from hospital and was back at the team hotel nursing "muscle pain and a big headache."

Mark Knowles, Australia's captain, was carried off with neck injury during their 4-0 win over India, but should be fit for the semi-finals on Friday ©Getty Images

England will join Australia in the men's semi-finals on Friday (June 13) after a dramatic 3-2 win over Belgium.

England had to win to overhaul the Belgians into the second place, but when Belgium levelled at 2-2 with just over seven minutes remaining they looked likely to be out - until they were awarded a controversial penalty stroke with just over four minutes remaining which was flashed into the top corner of the net by Ian Lewers.

The United States and Argentina, respectively first and second in Group B with 10 points each, look favourites to fill the two remaining women's semi-final places on Thursday (June 12), but China could profit if either slip up in the final round of qualifiers tomorrow.

The US face South Africa, currently second from the bottom above an England team that has lost all four of its matches so far.

China face Argentina, who may still be without their stellar performer Luciana Aymar, who missed their most recent match, a dramatic 2-1 win over England, with a hamstring injury.

The US women set up likely qualification with a 4-1 win over European champions Germany masterminded by their coach Craig Parnham, the former GB assistant coach who left the England Hockey set-up before the London 2012 Games.

When Naomi van As put The Netherlands one up after three minutes it looked as if the women in orange would have an easy time of it, but they were made to work very hard by a South Korean team which earned seven penalty corners without managing to turn one of them into a goal.

It was not until the 48th minute that the Dutch were able to consolidate their lead as Maartje Paumen scored the first of two goals in seven minutes.

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