BUSAN, Oct 4: Seven-time champions Pakistan thrashed Bangladesh 9-0 to advance to the semifinals of the Asian Games men’s hockey tournament at the Gangseo stadium here Friday.

Defending champions India are on course for a semifinal showdown with arch-rivals Pakistan after drawing 1-1 with South Korea.

Both India and South Korea had already qualified from Group A, but the hosts topped their group on the basis of more goals scored.

Pakistan, who had beaten China 8-3 in an earlier league match, joined Malaysia in the knockout stage from Group B.

Malaysia also made it to the last four after they overcame China 3-2.

Pakistan next play Malaysia Sunday in the match to decide their group topper, which they are expected to win. The top team from one group plays the second-placed of the other in the semifinals.

Penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas and Khalid Salim scored twice, while Mudassar Ali, Ghazanfar Ali, Mohammad Shabbir, Rehan Butt and Kashif Jawwad grabbed one apiece.

Pakistan toyed with the opposition from early on, slamming six goals by half-time, even as Bangladesh failed to make a worthwhile move.

Pakistan seemed to relax a bit in the second session, but assistant coach Asif Bajwa said it was done deliberately.

“We wanted to put pressure on our defence because we thought we had to improve that aspect of our game,” Bajwa said. “Our aim is to prepare for the matches against India and South Korea.”

Meanhwile, South Korea played an attacking game against India to illustrate why they scored 19 goals compared to India’s nine, in their three league matches.

They opened the scoring through Jeon Jong-Ha, who converted a penalty-corner in the fourth minute.

The tempo was set for a tough match and despite some forays from India, the equaliser came only in the 44th minute when Daljit Singh flicked the ball in off a cross from Jugraj Singh on the right.

The hosts then put pressure on India towards the end of the match, but could not break the deadlock.

Indian coach Rajinder Singh was not happy with the outcome.

“Our forward-line didn’t do a good job and even our penalty-corner conversions left a lot to be desired. The Koreans played well, but we didn’t make the most of our chances,” Rajindr said.

For Malaysia, who are yet to make a final of the Asian Games despite being a top team at the continental level for many years, their penalty conversions helped them against an enthusiastic China.

K. Keevan Raj, K. Shanmuganathan and Chua Boon Huat scored for Malaysia, while Yu Yang and Ren Baode were on target for the losers.

Malaysia went ahead against the run of play when Keevan Raj converted a penalty stroke in the seventh minute but China restored parity in the 40th minute as Yu Yang deflected in off a hit from captain Jie Guo.

Malaysia went 3-1 up with captain Shanmuganathan converting a penalty-corner in the 43rd minute and Chua scoring a field goal in the 66th.

China got one back in the last minute through Ren Baode.

Malaysian coach Paul Lissek said his team was relieved after qualifying for the knockout stage.

“We’re happy to have reached the semi-finals as it takes the pressure off our players,” Lissek said. “We now hope to play better in the coming days.”—AFP

Pakistan 9 Bangladesh 0

South Korea 1 India 1

Malaysia 3 China 2