Belgium and Australia almost a shoo-in for Rio Olympics

Chris Ciriello (left) of Australian in action during the match against Pakistan in the World Hockey League Semi-Finals group match in Belgium. - GRANT TREEBY

ANTWERP: World champions Australia and hosts Belgium are the favourites to meet in the final and secure their Olympic berths with ease as the World Hockey League Semi-Finals move into the knockout phase.

World No. 1 Australia, the Group A champions, will play No.14-ranked Ireland while No. 4 Belgium, the Group B winners, are up against 18-ranked France in Wednesday’s quarter-finals.