DOHA, Dec 9: Pakistan and Japan geared up for a crucial battle in the Asian Games men's field hockey with big wins over lowly rivals here on Saturday. Japan rode on a six-goal burst by penalty corner expert Takahiko Yamabori to blast hapless Hong Kong 12-1 and Pakistan dismissed Taiwan 9-0 in another group A match at the Al Rayyan stadium here.

Japan and Pakistan are locked on seven points each and face-off in the last league encounter on Sunday that will lift the winner into the semi-finals.

The loser faces an early exit as Malaysia, who have the luxury of playing unfancied Taiwan on Sunday, will move to eight points and book the second semi-final spot.

A draw between Pakistan and Japan will force a three-way tie to be settled on goal-difference.

“There is everything to play for against Japan,” said Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh. “It's a make or break game for us.”Japanese manager Kyoichi Nagaya said Sunday's match will be the “turning point of the tournament.””It should very very interesting, certainly the turning point of the tournament. We have a lot of respect for Pakistan who are a very good side and are playing very well.”

Japan will once again rely on Yamabori's penalty corner skills that has already earned him 10 goals in three matches, two short of leading scorer Jang Jong-Hyun of South Korea's tally of 12.

Yamabori scored three goals in either half against Hong Kong while Toshiaki Fukuda hit four as Japan built up a 6-0 lead by the interval.

“The penalty corners went well for me, better than before in the tournament,” said Yamabori. “We tried a variety in penalty corners and were successful in most.

“Hopefully it will be the same against Pakistan.”Hong Kong ended the league with four defeats in as many matches, the latest one against Japan being blamed by coach Simon Chapman on the early start.

“The boys are not used to playing in the mornings because they train late into the night,” said Chapman.

“If we had played later in the day we would have scored mored goals. Today our biggest problem was having to defend against Japan.”

Pakistan toyed with the Taiwanese defence despite still missing captain Rehan Butt who suffered a hairline fracture in the middle finger of his right hand during the opening match against Malaysia.

Muhammad Imran led the way with three goals while Shakeel Abbasi, who captained the new-look Pakistanis in Butt's absence, and Adnan Maqsood scored two each.

Pakistan failed to win an Asian Games medal for the first time since the sport was introduced at the Tokyo Games in 1958 when they finished fourth in Busan four years ago.

“If need be, Rehan will be played against Japan,” said Shahnaz. “He is recovering fast and I am hopeful he will be fit soon. Our target is making the final so that we can qualify for the Beijing Olympics.”

The finalists in both the men and women's competition will gain a direct berth to the Olympics, according to the new qualification rules of the International Hockey Federation.—AFP