India beat Pakistan 4-0 in the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai ©Getty Images

India brought the round-robin phase of hockey's Asian Champions Trophy at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai to a conclusion with a 4-0 victory to end Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi- finals. 

Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice from penalty corners to seize the initiative.

Jugraj Singh added a third in the third period before Akashdeep Singh completed the scoring.

It was India’s 20th goal of the round-robin phase in which their only blemish had been a 1-1 draw against Japan.

Malaysia finished second after recording their fourth win of the competition with a single goal victory 1-0 over South Korea.

Japan beat China 2-1 in their final group match.

Shota Yamada and Kentaro Fukuda both scored from short corners for Japan and although Suozhu Ao replied for China, Japan hung on for what proved an important victory.

Malaysia beat South Korea 1-0 in their final round-robin match at the Asian Champions Trophy ©Getty Images
Malaysia beat South Korea 1-0 in their final round-robin match at the Asian Champions Trophy ©Getty Images

Pakistan's defeat means they go out on goal difference.

Japan, who finished on the same number of points as Pakistan, now face India in the semi-final.

Malaysia play South Korea again in the other last-four encounter.

Both matches are scheduled for Saturday (August 12), with the final due to be held the following day.