Australia 3 Australia ‘A’ 3

SYDNEY, June 7: India will clash Australia on Sunday in the final of a three-nation tournament after they drew 4-4 with arch-rivals Pakistan in a highly-charged match on Saturday.

In a replay of the final of the first tournament of the series in Perth a week earlier, India will be hoping to claim the title this time around after losing to the Kookaburras 2-1 in the West Australian showdown.

Adding spice to the match were hundreds of Indian and Pakistani fans in the stands.

Tempers flared in the 40th minute of the match when a scuffle broke out between the two sides after a striking incident.

Top marksman Singh Dhilon scored two goals for India in the sixth minute of the match, the first from the penalty spot.

Pakistan replied four minutes later with Ali Raza scoring off a corner before Indian striker Prabhjot Singh made it 3-1 five minutes before halftime. Pakistan charged into the second half, with midfielder Mohammad Saqlain netting to make it 3-2 before the two sides began to exchange blows.

Dhilon Singh was given a red card for striking, while Pakistan’s Raza received a yellow card for misconduct.

When play resumed, Indian defender Jugraj Singh converted a 54th minute penalty corner goal.

Pakistani striker Kashif Jawwad drove home a superb goal from the midfield before Shabbir Hussain then equalised 10 minutes before time.

Pakistan play Australia A for third place on Sunday, hoping to repeat their effort of four days earlier when they beat the younger Australian side 1-0. In a second Saturday game, Australia’s senior side drew 3-3 with Australia A.—AFP