Rampant Pak shut out India’s qualifying hopes

Administrator — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:04:09 +0000

India’s hopes of booking a berth in next year’s Champions Trophy were broken as they went down fighting to Pakistan 6-3 in a semi-final encounter of the Champions Challenge I hockey tournament.

In-form India, who were Group A toppers with an unbeaten record, failed to find the bearings in the last-four match, with Pakistan 3-1 up by half time.

The match was a classic exhibition of hockey artistry, the usual case when the two sides clash, but India failed to take their chances. They now face Argentina for the third-place play-off.

Pakistan will play New Zealand in the final and the winner will qualify for the 2010 Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach, Germany. New Zealand beat Argentina 3-2 in the other semi-final.

All the Indian goals came from penalty corners, through Dhananjay Mahadik (eighth and 62nd minutes) and Diwakar Ram (67th minute).

Imran Farhat (117- not out)

Administrator — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:31:29 +0000

Imran Farhat

not out

117

Pakistan Sports

Rampant Pak shut out India’s qualifying hopes

Imran Farhat (117- not out)