England qualify for World Cup..

ENGLAND hammered the daylights out of Japan not only to cruise into the World League semi-finals, but also the World Cup, on a 5-0 score at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.
  And they will play Argentina in the last four, after the Argies beat South Africa 2-0 in the other quarter-finals.
  South Korea also qualified for the semi-finals when they came back from two goals down to beat Pakistan 4-3.
  In a complicated World League calculation, England are assured of a spot in the World Cup next year even if they finish fourth in Johor Baru, as in the first World League semi-finals in the Netherlands, the hosts also qualified when they finished third and left the fourth spot open to the highest ranked team in both the semi-finals.
  New Zealand finished fourth in Netherlands, but they are ranked World No 6, while England are No 4.
  Argentina are world No 10, while South Korea No 8 so they must finish top three to qualify.
  Two penalty corner strikes from Gonzalo Peillat in the 27th and 40th minutes was enough for Argentina to beat South Africa for the semi-finals slot.
  The match was lopsided, with Argentina missing numerous sitters which could have seen a hammering, as South Africa were heavy-footed and slow in the consistent drizzle.
  And in the England match, after a slow start, the English took command and the goals came off Mark Gleghorne (20th), Barry Middleton (23rd), Harry Martin (44th), Simon Mantell (48th), Dan Fox (56th).
  "It is a big relief that we have qualified for the World Cup and now there will be no more pressure for on in the remaining two matches," said England coach Bobby Crutchley.
  As for their next opponents Argentina: "They have scored many goals (13) and only let in two in four matches and that speaks volumes about their strength. We will give our best and try to match them in every department," said Crutchley.
   

  RESULTS: Quarter-finals -- Argentina 2 South Africa 0; England 5 Japan 0; Pakistan 3 South Korea 4; Germany x Malaysia x.
  TODAY: REST DAY
  TOMORROW: Fifth-Eight: South Africa v Japan (2.45pm); Pakistan v x (5pm).
  Semi-finals: Argentina v England (7.15pm); x v South Korea (9.30pm).