Pakistan 3…………………………….India 1

AMSTELVEEN (Netherlands), Aug 18: Pakistan kept their hopes alive for a place in the semifinals of the eight-nation Rabo hockey tournament when they outplayed India 3-1 in their second match on Thursday.

Pakistan is now leading the Pool A table along with Spain with four points and will take on European hockey powerhouse Germany in their last pool match.

A win will earn Pakistan a place in the semifinal but a defeat could lead to ouster from the competition.

Pakistan started off slowly in their battle but found rhythm till the clock reaches double figures.

Skipper Saqlain gave Pakistan first breakthrough when he found target on Indian goalkeeper’s deflection on their third penalty corner in the 14th minute.

Earlier, Pakistan missed two penalty corners in ninth and 12th minute before India missed penalty corners in secondd and eight minute of the first half.

Muhammed Imran increased Pakistan’s lead 2-0 in the 29th minute on an indirect attempt on the fourth penalty corner. The teams changed over with Pakistan leading 2-0.

India with two goals deficit, adopted aggressive strategy in the second half and created couple of chances but remained unsuccessful to beat Pakistani defenders till forward Dildar Singh reduced the margin in the 56th minute penalty corner through a brilliant dragflick.

Shakeel Abbasi ended India’s hopes of salvaging a draw as he made no mistake when fed by Muddassar to make it 3-1 just two minutes before the final hooter.—Agencies