Hong Kong needed to win their final Group E encounter by at least six goals to reach the playoff round as one of four second place teams to do so.

They raced into a 4-0 lead by the end of the first quarter,

The Mexicans fought back in the second and third but Hong Kong drew away in the fourth quarter.

Logan Ip scored six goals and an assist in the victory to earn a nomination as one of the top performers of the day.

Hong Kong advanced at the expense of Wales, who had beaten France 7-6 in quadruple overtime earlier in the day.

As things stood, this would have assured them of a  knockout place as the second place team in Pool B, before Hong Kong achieved their six goal swing,

Hong Kong are now set to meet the Haudenosaunee team made up of first nation players from North America, who beat Australia 10-6 in their final Pool A match.

Japan or Germany await the winners in the quarter-finals.

Australia also claimed a playoff berth where they are scheduled to meet The Netherlands who beat Latvia 4-1 in their last Pool F match.

That half of the draw leads to a last eight encounter with either England or Puerto Rico.

Israel ended their Pool C campaign without losing a match after Nathaniel Solomon scored five in a resounding 14-4 victory over the Czech Republic.

The Israelis are now set to meet Ireland, but the winners will face a daunting meeting with the unbeaten defending world champions United States in the quarter-finals.

The other first round playoff features Italy who topped Pool E after their emphatic 14-4 win over Austria to maintain a perfect record in the competition so far.

Christian Cuccinello scored six times in the win.

The Italians are now scheduled to meet another unbeaten side in  Jamaica, 10-6 winners against New Zealand in their final pool game.

Canada await the winners in the quarter-finals.

Competition is due to conclude on Saturday (July 1) with the final and bronze medal playoff.