Australia and Belgium to battle for Antwerp Hockey World League semi-final crown after last four victories

Australia booked their place in the final of the Hockey World League semi-final event with a 3-1 win over Britain ©FIH

Australia and Belgium will meet in the final of the Hockey World League semi-final event in Antwerp after both sides claimed last four victories today.

Reigning world champions Australia proved too strong for Britain as they progressed by virtue of a 3-1 success, while the hosts secured a much more comfortable win by beating India 4-0.

Australia, Belgium and Britain have already clinched a Rio 2016 berth due to the fact that India had reached the semi-final stage of the competition in Antwerp.

India had earned an Olympic place by winning the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheona.

Earlier on in the day, Ireland clinched a tight 1-0 success against Pakistan.

The result for Pakistan side means they have failed to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time in their history, which has included winning three gold medals, three silver and two bronze.

The match-up between two traditional rivals Britain and Australia threw up another exciting battle which could have gone either way.

Hosts Belgium didn't disappoint the home crowd as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over India — Hosts Belgium did not disappoint the home crowd as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over India ©FIH

Britain managed to limit the attacking prowess of the world’s number one side for much of the contest and they were unfortunate not to take an early lead, David Condon wasting a golden opportunity to put his side in front, blasting his shot wide when clean through on goal.

That seemed to spark the Australians into life and they struck the post twice in the opening quarter, before they eventually broke the deadlock after 28 minutes when Blake Govers’s effort went underneath Britain goalkeeper George Pinner.

Britain were not going down without a fight and they equalised thanks to Nick Catlin’s innovative reverse shot that was too good for Andrew Charter in the Australian goal.

The Australians showed, though, why they are the top side in the world as Daniel Beale and Jacob Whetton scored to settle the contest.

In the other semi-final, Florent van Aubel bagged a hat-trick for Belgium and Tanguy Cosyns was also on the scoresheet as they cruised to the event's showpiece contest on home soil with a resounding victory against Hockey World League final hosts India.

Following their defeat, India will take on Great Britain for third-place on Sunday (July 5) before the final between Australia and Belgium