Saturday, December 12, 2009

India, Pakistan to play semis


India and Pakistan will clash in the Champions Challenge hockey semi-finals after registering comprehensive round-robin wins.

While India thrashed Belgium 4-2, Pakistan buried South Africa 4-1.

The second semi-final will be played between Argentina and New Zealand on Saturday. The two teams had played in the final in 2007, where the former had won on a golden goal in overtime.

Shakeel Abasi, Haseem Khan and Akhtar Ali scored for Pakistan in the second half after they were tied at 1-1 with the South Africans at halftime.

Argentina were already assured of making it through to the last four, having topped Pool B even after losing to Canada 3-2 earlier in the tournament.

Argentina and Pakistan finished with 6 points each, and Canada and South Africa 3 each.

Meanwhile, Belgium were in the lead against India at 2-1 but the latter drew level before the first half. Tushar Khandekar and Prabjhot Singh scored in the second half as India finished atop Belgium and Canada in their group/

India finished with seven points, New Zealand five, Belgium three and China one.

The winner of the tournament qualifies for the Champions Trophy next July in Moenchengladbach, Germany.

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