December 15, 2003	Monday	Shawwal 20, 1424

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LAHORE, Dec 14: Pakistan on Sunday stormed into the finals of FIP 14-goal Zone D beating India 10-9 with victory coming in an extra 6th sudden-death chukker.

With this magnificent victory, Pakistan finished second to Australia in the overall rankings and thus has won the second berth in the World Championship scheduled to be held in France next September.

Coming into the final match on the last day of the Zone D playoffs as underdogs, Pakistan was given an outside chance of beating the highly-rated Indians and grabbing second berth.

From beginning to end the match was absolutely breathtaking. Off to a guarded start with both sides exercising initial caution, India was the first to draw blood from a spot penalty taken by captain Sameer Suhag (5) from 75 yards out.

India’s Samsheer Ali (5) consolidated the lead by an electric goal from the field seconds later. Stung by the reverses Pakistan launched aggressive counter attacks with first Raja Samiullah (4) and then Hissam Ali Hyder (3) finding the posts to draw level 2-2 at the end of the first chukker.

India took the lead again with a spectacular cut shot off the stick of Ravi Rathore but field captain Shah Qubilai Alam (3) came back with three inspired goals to see the Pakistanis lead 5-3 at the close of the second chukker.

The visitors reduced the deficit with a goal from Shamsheer Ali at the beginning of the third period, but Qubilai Alam pounced on a loose ball to score again and have Pakistan lead 6-4 at half time.

The fifth and supposedly final chukker was more dramatic as India piled on pressure early in the chukker and forced a penalty, which was converted by Sameer Suhag for an 8-7 lead. This was short lived as a determined Samiullah equalized with a beautifully controlled dribble through the posts.

Hissam then capitalized from a good pass from Shamyl Alam to put Pakistan in the lead once again. But not for long as India re-exerted pressure to force a 60-yard penalty comfortably converted by Sameer to have draw level 9-9 at the close of the final chukker to take the match into the extra sudden-death chukker with the win going to the team which scored first.

In such a situation the luck factor comes into play. Whether it was just luck or sheer will power to win, the ball broke for Pakistan and was carried deep into India’s territory. India defended ferociously but a brilliant interception and calculated run by Qubilai Alam culminated in his securing a famous victory for Pakistan.

Earlier Australia secured a comfortable 11-4 win over Singapore to complete the formality of every team playing against the others.

PAKISTAN: 1. Hissam Ali Hyder (3) 2. Raja Samiullah (4) 3. Shah Shamyl Alam (4) 4. Shah Qubilai Alam (3)

INDIA: 1. Lt. Ravi Rathore 2. Shamsheer Ali (5) 3. Sameer Suhag (5) 4. Sirman Shergill (2)

UMPIRES: Oliver Ellis (England); Darrel Schwartz (USA)

REFEREE: Brig. Arthur Douglas-Newton