March 23, 2006	Thursday	Safar 22, 1427

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MELBOURNE, March 22: Pakistan defeated Malaysia 6-5 in a brilliant field hockey match on Wednesday that lifted both teams into the Commonwealth Games semifinals at India’s expense. India, who beat South Africa 2-0 earlier in the day, needed Pakistan or Malaysia to win by a two-goal margin and also prevent the loser from scoring more than three goals.

Instead, Malaysia fought back after being 1-4 down in the first 20 minutes and then 2-5 early in the second half to make it 5-5 before Rehan Butt scored Pakistan’s winner nine minutes before the final whistle.

Malaysian captain Kuhan Shanmuganathan was his team’s hero in defeat, banging in four penalty corners to keep Pakistan on their toes in the thrilling encounter.

Pakistan topped group B with 10 points while Malaysia and India finished with seven points each and also had the same goal difference of plus-8.

Malaysia squeaked through to the semifinals by scoring 16 goals in the competition against India’s 14 — making Shanmuganathan’s four-goal effort on Wednesday even more crucial.

In Friday’s semifinals, Pakistan take on England and Malaysia clash with Olympic champions and gold medal favourites Australia.

The Kookaburras topped group A with an all-win record after defeating New Zealand 5-2 in their last match.

England trounced lowly Canada 5-1 to finish second behind Australia.

Australia, held 2-2 by gallant New Zealand till 10 minutes before the final whistle, scored three times in the space of five minutes through Luke Doerner, Grant Schubert and Jamie Dwyer to break free.

Matthew Daly struck a hat-trick in England’s emphatic win over the Canadians with James Tindall and Simon Mantell adding to the tally.

It was, however, the sensational clash between Pakistan and Malaysia that stole the show.

Malaysian captain Shanmuganathan said his team showed they were a force to reckon with in world hockey.

“The boys really played their hearts out,” he said.

“We did not give up throughout the match and that is a great thing about this team.

“It was nice to have four on the board myself but all the credit is not mine. The team deserves it.”

Pakistan coach Asif Bajwa said he was worried about the weak defence that cost his team five goals.

“I think we are letting in too many goals and that is an area we have to work on,” he said.

“We have a day to prepare before Friday’s semifinals and I will be concentrating on our defensive tactics.

“We lost our last two games against Malaysia so that jinx is broken. God willing, we will make it to the final.”

Indian coach Rajinder Singh, who joined his team in the stands to watch Malaysia’s fightback, conceded the best two teams in the group and reached the semifinals.

“It would be easy to say that I am disappointed that we did not make it, but frankly, we did not play well enough to make it,” said Singh.

“We should have beaten South Africa by a bigger margin, but we wasted too many chances.”—AFP