Pakistan booked a direct path into the semi-finals by beating plucky Canada 2-0 to complete a clean sweep of three qualifying wins and 9 points.
England, who finished with 6, will now meet the team who finish third in Pool three, with the winners meeting defending champions Australia in the semi-final on Friday.
Dave Mathews fired England ahead after just six minutes, finishing a neat build-up by squeezing in a shot at the near post from an acute angle on the left.
Mark Pearn hit his 47th international goal after 18 minutes to put England in charge as they took their reward for a brighter performance after dour displays in their first two qualifiers.
Skipper Craig Parnham wrapped it up in the second half with a shot after 52 minutes and a penalty 7 minutes later. John Wyatt rubbed in the agony for the Welsh with a last-minute strike.
But the victory may have been at some cost as 31-goal marksman Mathews was stretchered off after 14 minutes after puling up with a knee injury.
He returned on crutches to watch the second half but is in major doubt for Wednesday's semi-final play-off.
Pakistan went through with goals by Muhammad Saqlain (21 minutes) and Sohail Abbas (62 minutes).
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