PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have secured their spot in the hockey World Cup even before facing Japan in the third-place playoff of the qualifiers in Egypt on Saturday (March 7).
The world No. 14 Speedy Tigers will make their 10th World Cup appearance after results in the other qualifying tournament in Chile confirmed their passage.
Lower-ranked Wales (No. 16) and Poland (No. 20) will battle for third place there, meaning Malaysia are guaranteed qualification regardless of their result against Japan.
The top three teams from each qualifier and the highest-ranked fourth-placed team advance to the World Cup.
Even if Malaysia lose to Japan, their superior world ranking ensures they claim the remaining slot - securing their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.
In Chile, world No. 9 Ireland hammered Wales 4-0 to reach the final while world No. 10 France defeated Poland 4-2.
In Egypt, Malaysia were beaten 7-1 by England in the semi-finals on Friday while Japan fell 4-3 to Pakistan.
The World Cup will be held in Holland and Belgium from Aug 14–30. Malaysia's best outing in the World Cup is a fourth-place finish at the 1975 edition in Kuala Lumpur.
