MANCHESTER, Aug 1: New Zealand will face Pakistan in the men’s hockey semifinals of the Commonwealth Games a hat trick from Hayden Shaw helped the Kiwis defeat Canada 3-2 in their playoff match Wednesday.

Shaw emerged the highest scorer in the competition with 11 goals.

Pool champions Australia and Pakistan gained a direct entry into the Friday’s semifinals, leaving the second and third-placed teams to play-off for the remaining two spots.

The South African men made up for the disappointment of their women’s team, who lost the play-off to India earlier in the day after being 3-1 up eight minutes before the final whistle against England.

The Canada-New Zealand game was equally thrilling as both teams went on the offensive from the start.

Canada took an early lead in the sixth minute through Wayne Fernandes, but Shaw drew level 10 minutes later with a penalty stroke.

Canada led once more just before half-time when Ravi Kahlon converted a penalty corner, only to see Shaw equalise again soon after the break.

Shaw capped a brilliant display with the winner five minutes before the end when he scooped a penalty corner into the goal.—AFP