The slender margin victory could not bring joy for Pakistan as they have already been out of contention for the semifinal berth, especially when two-goal Lucas Vila helped Argentina shock mighty Australians with a 3-1 win to reach last four from same group.

Tall claims by team management proved wrong as Pakistan took a shaky start in the tournament as all they could do was a 3-1 win over minnows Belgium and a close 2-1 victory against underdogs Chile before a 3-2 loss to Australia in the first pool phase.

The green shirts took a demoralising start in the second pool phase with a 2-0 defeat against Germany, while lowly-rated Argentina dented Pakistan’s hopes of reaching semifinals after a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

Malaysia took the lead when penalty corner specialist Mohd Rejab Zulkifli found the target in the 12th minute. Pakistan restored parity six minutes later through a Khalid Mahmood effort off a short corner.

Pakistan were reduced to ten players when full-back Imran Warsi was suspended temporarily in the 51st minute.

Pakistan again lost another player in the 66th minute when Tariq Aziz was shown a yellow. Malaysia’s Sandrakasi Selvaraju was also yellow carded a minute later.

Adnan Zakir finally slotted home the winner barely seconds before fulltime to give Pakistan a close win that could not help them advance to the semifinals.

In a surprise result, pan-American champions Argentina outplayed Australia who have already qualified for the semifinals.

The victory gave not only full points to Argentina but also helped the Latin Americans to settle at the top of the points table with 11 points followed by Australia having 10 points, while Pakistan crashed out with seven points.

According to format top two teams from the two six-team groups of the second phase will advance into semifinals.

Argentina rattled the Australians when Vila picked up a loose ball at the top of the circle before rounding the Australia goalkeeper David Reid and slotted home through a reverse hit in the 30th minute.

Iain Davidson pulled one back when he equalised for Australia on a short corner in the 49th minute.

Vila again came into action when he pivoted away from the defence and netted through a reverse flick off a penalty corner in the 53rd minute.

Argentina skipper Lucas Rossi got temporary suspension in the 65th minute.

But Manuel Brunet sealed the fate of the match with penalty corner conversion a minute before time.

Pakistan 2 ......... Malaysia 1

Argentina 3 ...... Australia 1