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India, Pakistan to clash in Champions Trophy semis
BHUBANESWAR, India (AP) — Pakistan stunned the Netherlands 4-2 and set up a semifinals showdown with India in Champions Trophy field hockey on Thursday.
India pulled off its own quarterfinals surprise, rallying from 2-0 down to defeat Belgium 4-2.
Germany finally came to life and knocked out England 2-0 to reach its first major semifinals of the year, and five-time defending champion Australia beat Argentina 4-2.
The results meant the two bottom finishers in both pools, with a combined three wins from 12 games, advanced to the semis on Saturday.
Pakistan failed to win a pool match, but hung tight against the Dutch, the world and Olympic silver medallists. At 2-2 in the last quarter, the Netherlands' Sander Baart was yellow-carded and Pakistan pounced on the man advantage.
Muhammad Irfan flicked high into the net from a corner for 3-2, and a minute later finished off another set-piece to seal Pakistan's first Trophy win over the Dutch since 1998.
The Netherlands lost its previous match, its pool closer, to India, and Pakistan captain Muhammad Imran believed they caught the Dutch still feeling down.
"We studied Holland's defense, and worked on the penalty-corner conversions, which really helped us in scoring goals," Imran said. "The young players in our team are showing immense potential. The whole team displayed perfect teamwork."
The Netherlands miss out on the Trophy semis for the first time in 28 years.
India, morale boosted by the pool win over the Dutch on Tuesday, rode the expectations of another packed house at Kalinga Stadium to overcome Belgium and set sights on a first Trophy medal since a bronze in 1982.
Belgium led 2-0, but India, dangerous on the counterattack, levelled by halftime. Akashdeep Singh fired in the go-ahead goal, and Dharavmir Singh made it 4-2 with 11 minutes to go.
"What we did was unbelievable," India coach Roelant Oltmans said. "The problem of the balance of the balance of our side is solved as of now."
Australia fought back from 2-1 down to maintain a perfect winning record against Argentina in the Champions Trophy.
Australia scored through penalty-corner specialist Chris Ciriello, Simon Orchard, Daniel Beale and Jeremy Hayward, while Argentina got its goals from captain Matias Paredes and Manuel Brunet.
"We're very happy with the win because we're in the process of organizing our young team," Australia coach Graham Reid said. "It's about playing each match at the best from here, and I don't think it matters what the draw is."
The Germans are next, after the produced a great wall to shut out an unbeaten England side which scored 12 goals in three pool games.
Captain Moritz Furste converted their sixth penalty corner chance right before halftime, then after enduring an English onslaught, Christopher Ruhr put the result beyond doubt with three minutes to go.
"We had worked their team out and virtually killed their game," Furste said. "We were confident going into the match but we had to do well in the end."
India, Pakistan to clash in Champions Trophy semis - Yahoo News
BHUBANESWAR, India (AP) — Pakistan stunned the Netherlands 4-2 and set up a semifinals showdown with India in Champions Trophy field hockey on Thursday.
India pulled off its own quarterfinals surprise, rallying from 2-0 down to defeat Belgium 4-2.
Germany finally came to life and knocked out England 2-0 to reach its first major semifinals of the year, and five-time defending champion Australia beat Argentina 4-2.
The results meant the two bottom finishers in both pools, with a combined three wins from 12 games, advanced to the semis on Saturday.
Pakistan failed to win a pool match, but hung tight against the Dutch, the world and Olympic silver medallists. At 2-2 in the last quarter, the Netherlands' Sander Baart was yellow-carded and Pakistan pounced on the man advantage.
Muhammad Irfan flicked high into the net from a corner for 3-2, and a minute later finished off another set-piece to seal Pakistan's first Trophy win over the Dutch since 1998.
The Netherlands lost its previous match, its pool closer, to India, and Pakistan captain Muhammad Imran believed they caught the Dutch still feeling down.
"We studied Holland's defense, and worked on the penalty-corner conversions, which really helped us in scoring goals," Imran said. "The young players in our team are showing immense potential. The whole team displayed perfect teamwork."
The Netherlands miss out on the Trophy semis for the first time in 28 years.
India, morale boosted by the pool win over the Dutch on Tuesday, rode the expectations of another packed house at Kalinga Stadium to overcome Belgium and set sights on a first Trophy medal since a bronze in 1982.
Belgium led 2-0, but India, dangerous on the counterattack, levelled by halftime. Akashdeep Singh fired in the go-ahead goal, and Dharavmir Singh made it 4-2 with 11 minutes to go.
"What we did was unbelievable," India coach Roelant Oltmans said. "The problem of the balance of the balance of our side is solved as of now."
Australia fought back from 2-1 down to maintain a perfect winning record against Argentina in the Champions Trophy.
Australia scored through penalty-corner specialist Chris Ciriello, Simon Orchard, Daniel Beale and Jeremy Hayward, while Argentina got its goals from captain Matias Paredes and Manuel Brunet.
"We're very happy with the win because we're in the process of organizing our young team," Australia coach Graham Reid said. "It's about playing each match at the best from here, and I don't think it matters what the draw is."
The Germans are next, after the produced a great wall to shut out an unbeaten England side which scored 12 goals in three pool games.
Captain Moritz Furste converted their sixth penalty corner chance right before halftime, then after enduring an English onslaught, Christopher Ruhr put the result beyond doubt with three minutes to go.
"We had worked their team out and virtually killed their game," Furste said. "We were confident going into the match but we had to do well in the end."
India, Pakistan to clash in Champions Trophy semis - Yahoo News
