It was heartache all round for the Hong Kong's women's team who saw their World Cup ticket snatched from their hands by Kazakhstan, who won a tense pool A encounter 10-5.
Hong Kong, who had beaten Singapore 12-5 in their earlier pool game, needed a victory to enter the semi-finals today.
They ignored the fact that they were up against the Asian champions and played with fire, but it was in vain.
'We are gutted. It was so close. It just wasn't our day,' said crushed Hong Kong captain Emma Holland as she led her team off, most of whom were in tears in the knowledge that they wouldn't be going to Dubai next March.
The top three teams in the nine-team women's competition will book their World Cup berths today. Hong Kong would have rated their chances against Japan in the semi-final, but instead it is Kazakhstan who will be running out.
'We knew we had to go all out against Kazakhstan and the girls gave it their best shot but unluckily we didn't quite make it,' said Hong Kong coach Zanio Yong Chi-fung.
Kazakhstan, China and Thailand topped each of the three pools. Japan, by virtue of finishing as the best runner-up, also advanced to the semi-finals and will meet the Kazakhs. The other semi-final will be between China - who easily looked the best side on show - and Thailand. The winners of the semi-finals will qualify while the losers will meet in a third place play-off for the remaining ticket.