Pakistan’s victory over Belgium made them finish the round-robin ranked second.

Belgium stay third and play off in the Bronze Medal match, possible opponents are Ghana or Singapore.

The highlight of boys’ day 5 was the encounter between Belgium and Pakistan as the winners qualify for Wednesday’s final.

A draw would have been enough for Pakistan to join Australia in the Gold Medal match due to the better goal difference.

Both teams started with concentration and tried to avoid mistakes. The match took place mostly in midfield and the spectators did not witness much action in the circles.

Muhammad IRFAN took the unexpected lead for Pakistan out of open play. After Muhammad Sultan AMIR tackled Belgian team-captain Dimitri CUVELIER near the base-line, the umpires awarded the first penalty corner of the match.

Alexander HENDRICKX’s shot went into the left side of the goal and the score was tied again.

The second half started off in heavy rainfall. Not even one minute was played when Muhammad Arslan QADIR scored the 2-1.

The attackers overran the Belgian defence and suddenly QADIR received ball possession in front of goalkeeper Arnaud FLAMAND.

HENDRICKX equalised again for Belgium when his penalty corner drag-flick found its way into the net after Syed Kashif SHAH was sent back to the centre for breaking early.

Belgium was the more creative side providing varied options late in the second half while Pakistan could only look for counter-attack opportunities.

One of them succeeded when QADIR carried the ball all the way down the side-line, entered the circle and slipped a shot under FLAMAND.

With ten goals in total QADIR is new top scorer in the boys’ competition. In the 66th minute Belgium replaced goalkeeper FLAMAND by an 11th field player, Antoine LEGRAIN took the goalkeeping privileges.

Pushed forward by their supporters Belgium was urgent to score but were unsuccessful.