Australia claim last-gasp final victory over hosts Belgium at Hockey World League Semi-Final

Australia earned a last minute winner to beat host Belgium in Antwerp ©AFP/Getty Images

Australia claimed a late winner to beat hosts Belgium and win the final of the Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp following a tight match between two well matched teams.

In front of a packed crowd, Belgium began the match in confident fashion and forced the Australian goalkeeper Andrew Charter into several excellent saves to keep the scores level at the close of the first quarter.

The second quarter, although finishing scoreless, saw the Australian team begin to assert their authority on the match as they aimed to make Belgium pay for their early profligacy in front of goal, by snatching the advantage.

It was now Australia’s turn to face a goalkeeper in top form, though, as Vincent Vanasch produced a stunning reaction save from Kiel Brown in the closing stages of the match, with the fourth period appearing to be destined to end without a goal, just as the first, second and third periods had done.

With just four seconds remaining of the match, however, Chris Ciriello was able to change that and give Australia a dramatic 1-0 win, as he took advantage of the award of a penalty corner to fire into the Belgian net and breaks the hosts hearts.

“It was a great flick”, said Mark Knowles, Australia captain.

“We want guys to step up at big moments and that was a really big moment, so well done to Chris for that.”

Barry Middleton scored on his 350th international appearance from Britain ©World Sport Pics

Unlike in the women’s third place playoff a day earlier there was little resting on Britain’s tie with India.

India had already won a gold medal in last year's Asian Games to seal Olympic qualification, while a fourth place finish would prove enough for the British team to seal a place at Rio 2016.

Liberated from the pressure of playing for an Olympic berth, Britain produced a dominant display, as they raced in an early two goal advantage with efforts from Dan Fox and Chris Griffiths in the opening half of the match.

The British team continued in a similar vein in the third quarter and a devastating spell of attacking play saw Ashley Jackson, Adam Dixon and Barry Middleton - on his 350th international appearance - all find the target, as the India team began to fall apart.

India restored some pride in the final minute of the match as Rupinder Singh beat Britain’s substitute goalkeeper James Bailey from a penalty corner to finish the match at 5-1.

Although they proved unable to secure automatic Rio 2016 qualification at the tournament, Ireland boosted their hopes of booking their place at their first Olympic hockey tournament since London 1948, with a brace from Kyle Good, added to by strikes from Peter Caruth and Michael Darling, helping them to a 4-1 over Malaysia.

Ireland still require results to go in their favour at various Continental Championships to see if their fifth place finish at the Hockey World League Semi-Final will prove enough to secure Olympic qualification.