The Australian men got off to a slow start at the eight-nation tournament, losing their first match to England 3-1 and then drawing 4-4 with Belgium before finally recording a win in their final pool match against Pakistan 3-0 yesterday.

They finished third in their pool, so will face the second-ranked team in the other pool for a place in the semi-finals, and a likely rematch with England.

New Australian men’s coach Graham Reid said his new-look team was gradually working its way into the tournament but had started to find their feet against Pakistan.

“(This) was a better controlled performance, we held the ball and moved it around well, which is what we were trying to achieve,’’ Reid said. “It’s always difficult to start out with a different group of players, however they are now starting to connect well as a team. We are seeing some good progress with this team so far.’’

The current group is without injured captain Mark Knowles and other experienced players including Jamie Dwyer, Kieran Govers and Matthew Swann.

But they found some rhythm against Pakistan, scoring three unanswered goals.

Young defender Jeremy Hayward, who was voted the best young player at the World Cup in June, pounced on a rebound to score the first midway through the second quarter, then put a powerful drag flick into the top corner of the net in the final ­quarter.

Striker Jake Whetton claimed the third goal in the final minute deflecting a pass from newcomer Tom Craig past the goalkeeper.

Hayward is one of four ­Kookaburras nominated for world awards this week. He is a ­finalist for rising star of the year, while Knowles and Eddie Ockenden are both contenders for player of the year. Andrew ­Charter has been nominated for goalkeeper of the year.

Among the women, Rachael Lynch is a contender for goalkeeper of the year, while Anna Flanagan is a finalist for the rising star award. The winners will be decided by a public vote for the first time.