England ease past Canada to reach hockey semis

GLASGOW: England will almost certainly face reigning champions Australia in the semi-finals of the men´s hockey event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after a routine 3-1 win over Canada on Thursday.

Just needing to avoid a heavy defeat to seal their passage into the last four, two goals from Ashley Jackson and another from captain Barry Middleton put England 3-0 up before Canadian captain Scott Tupper fired home a late consolation.

New Zealand will ensure they finish top of Group B by avoiding defeat against Malaysia later on Thursday, whilst Australia can also round off a 100 percent record from Group A when they face hosts Scotland. (AFP)