After earlier Pool B wins against China – ranked 18 places above them – and Brazil, the Italians are the only team with a perfect record.

At the end of the pool matches in Bukit Jalil Stadium, Italy’s forwards Julian Montone and Agustin Nunez are top of the goalscoring table with three apiece.

“No one can call us underdogs now,” said Italy's Giulio Ferrini. 

“We came as the lowest-ranked team with just two training camps this year. 

"We came to give it our best and we have come away with three wins, including against two teams who were at the World Cup. 

"We are surprising ourselves, it’s so exciting it’s frightening.”

Italy await the winners of Wednesday's cross-over match between China, who beat Brazil 3-2 in today's other Pool B match, and Canada. 

Austria’s earlier 2-0 success over Wales in Pool A allowed them to become the first team to earn a semi-final place and they will meet either Wales or the hosts.

Goals from Dominic Uher and Florian Steyrer earned the Austrians the three points they needed to finish top of the table on goal difference from Canada, who beat Belarus 6-2 in their last qualifying match today.

Fortunes have fluctutated dramatically in Pool A, with Austria taking the initiative with a 5-0 win over Belarus on an opening day when Canada, rated 10th in the world, lost 3-1 to Wales.

Saturday saw a 2-1 win for Canada over Austria, but today’s results left the latter team with a goal difference of six – three better than Canada’s.

Brendan Blissett scored twice for Canada today, with further goals being added by Oliver Schofield, James Wallace, Iain Smythe and Scott Tupper.

The top two teams in the Finals will secure a place in the qualification events for the 2020 Games which will be held in October and November 2019.

Two other Finals featuring different teams will take place over the next two months.