The Pakistan Hockey team, due to having a better goal average compared to Malaysia, has qualified for the knockout stage of the 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup.

Earlier, Netherlands hockey team had bested Pakistan in a crucial pool D match by 5-1 on Sunday, but despite that, the Pakistani side qualified as the Malaysian hockey team faced the crossovers owing to their poor goal difference.

Pakistan is now scheduled to play against Belgium on December 12 while other matches will be played between England and New Zealand, China and France, and, Netherlands and Canada.

India, Australia, Argentina and Germany are already through to quarterfinals directly after leading their respective pools.