Hockey: It's Pakistan v India

Pakistan drew with India 2-2 in their final group match of the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy.

ORDOS:

Pakistan drew their final league match 2-2 against India to set up a repeat on Sunday as the two teams fight for the Asian Champions Trophy.

India's progress to the final was confirmed after Malaysia shocked high-flying Japan 3-2 in a later match.

Courtesy the draw, Pakistan finished top of the table with 10 points while India finished second with nine.  The match started fiercely as both teams looked for an early lead. India remained the more impressive side, keeping Pakistan at bay with possession as the half-time whistle blew with the score 0-0.

Pakistan came back strongly in the second half and scored twice: Mohammad Waqas made it 1-0 in the 40th minute while Mohammad Irfan doubled the lead two minutes later.

However, India staged a fightback by reducing the lead through Rupinder who struck on an indirect attempt on a penalty-corner. Danish Mujtaba equalised in the 53rd minute and with no further goals, India maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament.

Pakistan showing improvements

Meanwhile, team manager Khwaja Junaid was satisfied with the results, saying the team was showing improvement after every match.

"It was a better performance," Junaid told The Express Tribune from Ordos. "It was a tough match and I was satisfied by the way the team performed. We played as per the plan but we will have to be mindful in the final."

Butt rues missing final

Meanwhile, former captain Rehan Butt termed the final a real treat for fans saying the epic battle would serve as a booster for the game. "It is a mouth-watering clash," said Butt. "Pakistan and India have been great rivals and I wish I could have been the part of it."

Ashraf delighted by team's show

Another former captain Zeeshan Ashraf praised the team for confirming their place in the final.

"The team showed commendable effort by reaching the final," he said. "The final would be a pressure game and I hope Pakistan manages to win and lift the trophy."

Team manager Khwaja Junaid

"It was a tough match against the Indians and I was really satisfied by the way the team performed."

Former captain Rehan Butt

"Pakistan and India have been great rivals and I wish I could have been the part of the final."



Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2011.