Thaindian News

Ordos (China), Sep 9 (IANS) India will face arch rivals Pakistan in the final of the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament after the two teams drew 2-2 in their last group encounter here Friday.

India, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, staged a remarkable fightback to hold the Asian Games champion in an absorbing affair.

Striker Mohd. Waqas and Mohd. Irfan scored for Pakistan in the 40th and 43rd minute 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.

India dominated the first half but conceded two goals after the break. However, they 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.

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 goal.

The goal was disallowed initially by the neutral umpire from New Zealand but he awarded it in India’s favour after his consultation with the other umpire from South Korea.

Pakistan were through to the Sunday final with the drawn result but India had to wait for the outcome of the remaining two matches to know their fate.

South Korea made their exit when they were held 1-1 by bottom-placed China, while India heaved a huge sigh of relief when Malaysia came back from a two-goal deficit to pip Japan 3-2.

Korea will play China for the fifth and sixth positions Sunday while Malaysia will clash with Japan for the bronze medal, to be followed by the India-Pakistan grand finale.