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India, Pak set for Asia Cup final
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan set a final clash after both registered contrasting wins in the semi-finals of the fifth junior Asia Cup hockey tournament.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:06 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Karachi:
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan set a final clash after both registered contrasting wins in the semi-finals of the fifth junior Asia Cup hockey tournament here today. While Pakistan were emphatic in their 5-2 defeat of Malaysia, India had a hard time beating South Korea 4-3 in the second semifinal that was decided on penalty strokes. The final, which is set for Thursday, will be the first clash between the traditional rivals on Pakistani soil in five years. With the victories, both India and Pakistan secured berths in next year's junior World Cup to be played in Amstelveen, Netherlands. Indian, reigning world junior champions, owed the win to their goalkeeper Andrian D'Souza who saved two penalty strokes after the energy-sapping match was goalless in the regulation 70 minutes and in the two extra sessions lasting another 15 minutes. Both teams matched each other's talents but lacked finishing, resulting in spoiling of several chances in the first two halves. D'Souza, however, took India to the final by stopping the fourth and fifth penalty strokes from Yong Cheol Shin and Jong Hyun Jang. India had lagged behind after their penalty corner expert Sandeep Singh, tournament's top scorer with 14 goals, missed the third penalty stroke but D'Souza saved India in the end with two brilliant saves. Korea will play Malaysia for third-fourth spot. The winners of the match would also qualify to play in the World Cup. (PTI)Topics mentioned in this article
Hockey
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