Johannesburg: Thomasz Dutkiewicz scored a golden goal in the third minute of extra-time to clinch a 3-2 victory for Poland over Canada in the minor placing play-offs at the Champions Challenge hockey on Friday.
Poland's victory secured them a play-off with Malaysia for the fifth and sixth spots, after Malaysia rallied to defeat Japan 2-1.
Canada will meet Japan in the play-off for the seventh and eighth spots.
Poland's gritty display underlined the threat they could pose, and the impact was felt by Canada. Both these teams feature in the Olympic Qualifiers in February in New Delhi for a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games, for which hosts India will be a contender.
Poland and Canada were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation period. Poland's goals came through Artur Mikula (26th minute) and Waldemar Rataj (33rd), while Canada scored through Iain Smythe (13th) and Jagdish Gill (30th).
Malaysia rode on two goals from young striker Faizal Saari in the 53rd and 58th minutes after trailing by a goal at half-time.
Japan opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a field goal from Kazuyuki Ozawa before Malaysia struck back in the second half.
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