Melbourne: They made it in style. With a disciplined effort, the Indian women, defending the gold here, joined Australia, the favourite in the semifinals from Pool A with an authoritative win over Malaysia on Tuesday.

The must-win situation did not seem to bother the Indians, whose proficiency in stickwork proved too good for the Malaysian defence. But for the good work by goalkeeper Ernawati, the margin could have been much larger.

Team effort

That India forced 12 penalty corners, eight in the first half, perhaps underscores the dominance enjoyed by the frontline. Everyone contributed her mite. However, a special word for Sanggai Maimom, Jasjeet Handa and Mamta Kharab will not be out of place.

The defence was not tested much, and on the few occasions when the Malaysians surged in, goalkeeper Helen Mary was equal to the task. Only once did she falter, in a penalty corner skirmish, but midfielder Subhadra Pradhan rose to the occasion with a brilliant goal-line save.

In the semifinals, Australia meets England, while India takes on New Zealand on Thursday.

Malaysian men win

While Australia continued its march towards the gold, overwhelming England 5-1 in men's Pool A, spotting qualifiers from Pool B is getting tougher. Malaysia registered a significant 2-1 win over South Africa to take its tally to seven points.

Trailing 1-0 at half-time, the Malaysians turned the match around in a space of three minutes. South Africa forged ahead late in the first half through Ian Symons. But Logan Raj netted a peach of a goal on resumption. Even before the cheers could die down came the strike from Chua.

The outcome has a bearing on India's last match against South Africa on Wednesday, when even a draw may be insufficient.

Nathan Eglington's brilliant strikes — he scored thrice — and Livermore's two, one from a penalty corner and the other from a stroke, laid England low. With nine points, the Aussies are firmly ensconced on top of Pool A, while England and New Zealand, with six points each, have a match left.

Australia unbeatable

In the women's section, Australia completed a sweep of its league encounters winning all four matches to tally 12 points. Tuesday's victim was South Africa (3-0).

In Pool B, silver medallist in the two previous editions, England suffered the ignominy of a defeat when New Zealand outclassed it 4-0 to take the top spot. However, both teams have made the grade.

Eric Donegani, Tournament Director, has imposed a two-match suspension on Pakistani striker Tariq Aziz for causing injury to South African defender Ross Innes in the match on Sunday.

Tariq Aziz did not figure in the match against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday. Pakistan won 7-1. Interestingly, Pakistan and Malaysia are level with seven points, with the same goal difference of nine.

The results:

Men: Pool A: Australia 5 (Nathan Eglington 3, Brent Livermore 2) beat England 1 (James Tindall); Scotland 2 (Jonathan Christie, Ralph David) beat Canada 0; Pool B: Malaysia 2 (Logan Raj, Chua Boon Huat) beat South Africa 1 (Ian Symons); Pakistan 7 (Rehan Butt 3, Shakeel Abbasi, Shabbir Muhammad, Imran Muhammad, Muhammad Zubair) beat Trinidad and Tobago 1 (Dwain Chan).

Women: Pool A: India 6 (Jasjeet Handa, Jyoti Kullu, Sarita Lakra, Mamta Kharab, Asuntha Lakra, Saba Anjum) beat Malaysia 1 (Sabah Anak); Australia 3 (Susie Faulkner, Nicole Arnold, Angela Skirving) beat South Africa 0; Pool B: New Zealand 4 (Suzanne Muirhead, Diana Weavers, Louisa Dillon, Charlotte Harrison) beat England 0; Scotland 8 (Samantha Judge, Catriona Semple, Linda Clement, Vikki Bunce 5) beat Barbados 0.

Wednesday's matches: Men: Pool B: India v South Africa (5-30 a.m.); Pakistan v Malaysia (7-30 a.m.); Pool A: England v Canada (11-30 a.m.); Australia v New Zealand (1-30 p.m.).

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