Ordos, China, September 9, 2011: India will clash with archrivals Pakistan in the summit clash of the First Asian Champions Trophy hockey here on Sunday.
India, the only unbeaten team, staged a remarkable fightback to hold the Asian Games champions 2-2 in a thrilling final group encounter.
Striker Mohd. Waqas (40th min) and Mohd. Irfan (43rd min) scored for Pakistan while Rupinder Pal Singh reduced the margin from an indirect penalty corner in the 46th minute before Danish Mujtaba found the equaliser in the 53rd. minute.
After a barren first half dominated by India, they conceded two goals in three minutes by the 43rd minute.
Pakistan began strongly after the break with well orchestrated moves on the flanks and found open spaces quite easily to get their two goals.
However, India stung with these reversals fought back gallantly with forwards Gurvinder Chandi, skipper Rajpal Singh, SV Sunil and diminutive Yuvraj Walmiki successful in getting four penalty corners alternately executed by Rupinder Pal Singh and Raghunath.
However, only one, an indirect from the Rupinder beat the Pakistan custodian Imran Shah.
Mujtaba drew parity in the 53rd minute when he picked up a full blooded shot from defender Manjit Kullu in the Pakistan striking circle and deflected home with his back to the Pakistan goal.
The goal was disallowed initially by the neutral umpire from New Zealand but after his consultation with the other umpire from Korea it was allowed.
With this draw Pakistan were through to the Sunday final but India with nine points had to wait for the outcome of the remaining two matches to know if they will play the final.
Korea made their exit when they were held 1-1 by bottom of the table China, while India heaved a huge sigh of relief when Malaysia came back with a two goals deficit to pip final aspirants Japan 3-2.
All the three matches in the men competition will be reruns on Sunday. Korea will play China for the fifth and sixth positions while Malaysia will clash with Japan for the bronze medal to be followed by the India Pakistan grand finale.
A Hockey India Media Release
No comments:
Post a Comment