PERTH, May 31: India secured a decisive 2-0 win over traditional rivals Pakistan at Perth Hockey Stadium here on Saturday in their first field hockey clash of the year.

The Indians produced a fast, free-flowing brand of hockey to qualify to meet host nation Australia in Sunday’s final of a tri-nations tournament.

Considering political tensions between the countries, the match was played in a good spirit before a small but vocal band of supporters for both teams.

In a second match, Australia A upset the Australian senior side, winning 7-2.

But Australia’s top side had already qualified for the Sunday showdown by beating Pakistan and India earlier in the week.

The India-Pakistan game began at a furious pace, with both attacks slicing through defences, but unable to score.

India created more early scoring opportunities, but inaccurate finishing cost them goals, and forced a series of early penalty corners that came up short.

India’s persistence was rewarded in the 18th minute when striker Baljit Singh Dhillon drove the ball from the penalty spot into the top left-hand corner of the Pakistan goal, giving goalkeeper Ahmad Alam no chance.

Pakistan applied greater pressure after the interval, and midfielder Ghazanfar Ali almost equalised, his fierce shot from just inside the circle skidding just wide.

India repelled successive Pakistan attacks before putting the result beyond doubt in the 55th minute when striker Prabjot Singh hooked the ball into the net from six metres.

The game Saturday puts India up 5-1 over Pakistan in their last encounters.

Each won a game at the last Champions’ Trophy in Germany in September before India secured a semi-final win in the Asian Games and also succeeded in a Five-Nations tournament in Egypt (both in October).

India’s latest win will boost their confidence for the showdown against Australia, bronze medallists in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and winners of the silver medal at last year’s World Cup.—AFP