COLOGNE, Sept 4: India won the battle between traditional rivals when they swept past Pakistan 3-2 in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament Wednesday.

In the eagerly-awaited clash, India led 2-1 at half-time and soon built a 3-1 lead immediately into the second half.

Pakistan, who had a first-minute goal disallowed, pulled one back through Sohail Abbas with 16 minutes to go.

Nevertheless, despite dominating for the remaining time, the green shirted-Pakistanis failed to find the equalizer.

While a young-looking India stayed on course for reaching the finals, Pakistan were left battling for a lower place. If the three-time champions manage to beat Australia on Friday, they will play for the third place playoff otherwise they will fight to avoid the relegation place match.

India surged into lead in the 20th minute when Prabhjob Singh converted a penalty corner.

However, Ghazanfar Ali scored the equalizer two minutes later before a sizzling display of dribble and control by Dhanraj Pillay allowed Dilip Tirkey to sound the board a minute before half-time.

Gagan Ajit Singh scored a beauty to extend India’s advantage until Sohail, a flop in the tournament, scored with a forceful push. It was Pakistan’s only the third conversion from 16 short corners and Sohail’s second.

Earlier Germany regained their position after seeing off plucky South Korea 2-1.

The closely fought tie kept the hosts unbeaten record in three matches with a midfield defensive error by the Koreans giving the Germans the first goal after just three minutes with a Bjorn Michel shot into the left side of the backboards.

Korea showed more resilience than in their 4-1 trouncing by Pakistan.

Keon-wook Kang tried to do too much himself in the absence of Seung-tae Song who was resting his injured calf muscle on the bench.

When Song came on after 15 minutes the combination with Kang lacked its usual brilliance. Kang did the work to carry possession to the top of the circle but Song could not control the pass and the ball went over the backline.

Korea equalised when Kang sent a pass forward across the circle to Jong-hyun Hwang and Philipp Crone pushed Jong-ha Jeon off the ball.

Jeon converted the penalty stroke to the middle of the backboards in the 18th minutes with German goalie Clements Arnold going to his right.

Germany had two penalty corner chances but Florian Kunz was off-target with both his flicks.

The host’s attack lacked fire in the early part of the second half and their midfield lost most of 50:50 contests for possession.

Korea kept up the pressure and it paid off when they earned two penalty corners but with flicker Woon-kon Yeo off the pitch following an injury in the match against Australia, Seok-kyo Shin shaped to hit the corner.

Germany regrouped and earned their third penalty corner of the match in the 49th minute.

Kunz faked a flick and Timo Wess flicked over the right shoulder of the advancing Yoon Kim in goal for Korea to take the score to 2-1 for Germany.

Song came on to the pitch again after Germany’s goal and made an immediate impact, but the Germans earned a fourth penalty corner.

Kunz flicked into Korea’s runner, the ball rebounded to Oliver Domke who hit to the left post for Bjorn Emmerling to deflect in.—Agencies