Defending champions India stormed into the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games women's field hockey with an emphatic 6-1 win over Malaysia in Melbourne.

Malaysia, who only need a draw to move up, were stung by an aggressive Indian team that piled up four goals by half time and added two more after the break.

India, surprise victors at Manchester four years ago, finished second in group A behind favourites Australia and now take on group B champions New Zealand in Thursday's semi-final.

The other semi-final the same day features Australia against England.

India attacked from the start in the game they had to win to qualify and scored off deflections from four penalty corners in 11 minutes in the first half.

cnine minutes from the final whistle came through Intan Ahmad.

"The only option before us was to get goals, but we had to make sure the defence was not left open," said Indian coach Maharaj Kaushik.

"For a team that had no match practice for six months before the Games, getting to the semi-finals is very creditable.

"New Zealand have looked very good in the tournament, but I don't think any one is unbeatable. We will be very positive."

Malaysia's Indian coach Chidambaram Kumar said his players were disappointed after coming so close to reaching the last four.

"They are a bit low at the moment but I told them they had done very well in the competition," he said.

"We had never won a game at the Commonwealth Games before, so this was quite good."

England favourites

New Zealand, meanwhile, played their best match of the competition to blank nearest rivals England 4-0 and win group B with an all-win record.

Suzanne Muirhead scored the lone goal in the first half before Krystal Forgesson, Honor Dillon and Charlotte Harrison added to the Kiwis' tally after the break.

England, who had won their previous three matches without conceding a goal, finished second with nine points.

England, winners over Australia in the semi-finals at Manchester four years ago, were not worried about playing the favourites again.

"If we could do it in Manchester, we can do it again," said English goalkeeper Carolyn Reid. "We have to pick ourselves quickly."

Australia led 1-0 at half-time against South Africa following a 13th minute goal by Suzane Faulkner.

Nicole Arrold and Angie Skirving increased the margin after the interval to complete a all-win league record by the Hockeyroos.

"I don't think we played all that well," said Australian coach Frank Murray. "It was tough to get the ball through their defence."

Scotland, meanwhile, brushed aside lowly Barbados 8-0 in their last match with Vikki Bunce scoring five goals in the second half.

Samantha Judge, Catriona Semple and Linda Clement had given Scotland three goals in the first half.

Scotland, who had also beaten Canada, finished third in group B behind New Zealand and England.

Barbados lost all four games, conceding 33 goals without scoring any themselves.