Pakistan, India face-off today in Asian Games hockey

GUANGZHOU: Focus of the Asian Games today will be on the Aoti Hockey Field where arch-rivals Pakistan and India face off in a combustible field hockey clash in a group B match with a semi-final place at stake here on Saturday.

The showdown gives Pakistan a chance to avenge two humiliating defeats at India's hands this year.

India won 4-1 at the World Cup in March and then dished out a 7-4 hammering at last month's Commonwealth Games, both times at home in New Delhi.

The Pakistanis, who returned home from New Delhi complaining of rude behaviour by Indian fans during the Games, hope to turn the tables on neutral territory.

"If we play as well as we are capable off, we will give the Indians a good response," said Pakistan's coach Michel van den Heuvel. "We have the team to win the tournament."