CWG: Indo-Pak hockey clash today

NEW DELHI: The South Asian arch-rivals, Pakistan and India, would compete for the semi-final berth at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium on Sunday (today) as both teams need victory in this match to stay alive in the hockey competition of the Commonwealth Games 2010.

Pakistan’s chances were dented somehow by Australia the other day when they edged past Men in Green by one goal to nil to book their berth in the last-four.

The only defeat in the competition for Pakistan put them in a position where they will have to beat India to get into the semi-final stage.

Australia have nine points from three matches and lead the Pool A while Pakistan have six points and India have three points.

Australia are now setting their eyes on the fourth consecutive gold medal as they haven’t allowed any team to take the honours since the game was introduced in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

India, on the other hand, showed some class to demolish Scotland by four goals to nil, England outclassed New Zealand by 5-3, while Canada beat Trinidad and Tobago by two goals to nil in other clashes of the day.

Pakistan gave the defending champions good run for their money as forwards kept the pressure on Kangaroos but it was the lone first-half-goal that separated the two teams.

It is important to mention here that Australia had defeated Pakistan in Melbourne in 2006 to win hockey gold medal.

In Pool B, England are safely placed at seven points from their three matches, followed by New Zealand.

England will take on South Africa while New Zealand would face Canada on Sunday in their last league encounters.