South Korea, Pakistan reach semi-finals
Monday, 22 November 2010
GUANGZHOU, Nov 21 (AFP): Defending champions South Korea and Pakistan recorded emphatic wins Sunday to set up a semi-final clash in the Asian Games men's field hockey.
India, who topped group B with four straight wins after a 3-2 success over Japan, will clash with Malaysia in Tuesday's other semi-final.
Malaysia, needing a draw against China to join South Korea from group A, fought off a determined challenge from the hosts before securing a 4-2 victory.
Pakistan bounced back from the loss to India a day earlier to outclass Bangladesh 6-1 and finish second in group B behind their arch-rivals.
South Korea, seeking a hat-trick of titles after winning golds in 2002 and 2006, whipped Singapore 12-1 in their last league match to top Malaysia on goal difference.
Veterans Shakeel Abbasi and Sohail Abbas fashioned Pakistan's win over Bangladesh with two goals apiece, while Muhammad Imran also pumped in two penalty corners.
Abbasi put Pakistan ahead in the 13th minute with a brilliant reverse flick and Abbas increased the margin two minutes later with a stinging penalty corner.
Abbasi scored the third goal in the 27th minute with a superb run down the middle when he dribbled past three defenders and beat the advancing goalkeeper.
Abbas, who failed to score off the lone penalty corner his side earned against India, struck his second set-piece goal as Pakistan took a 4-0 lead by half-time.
India, who topped group B with four straight wins after a 3-2 success over Japan, will clash with Malaysia in Tuesday's other semi-final.
Malaysia, needing a draw against China to join South Korea from group A, fought off a determined challenge from the hosts before securing a 4-2 victory.
Pakistan bounced back from the loss to India a day earlier to outclass Bangladesh 6-1 and finish second in group B behind their arch-rivals.
South Korea, seeking a hat-trick of titles after winning golds in 2002 and 2006, whipped Singapore 12-1 in their last league match to top Malaysia on goal difference.
Veterans Shakeel Abbasi and Sohail Abbas fashioned Pakistan's win over Bangladesh with two goals apiece, while Muhammad Imran also pumped in two penalty corners.
Abbasi put Pakistan ahead in the 13th minute with a brilliant reverse flick and Abbas increased the margin two minutes later with a stinging penalty corner.
Abbasi scored the third goal in the 27th minute with a superb run down the middle when he dribbled past three defenders and beat the advancing goalkeeper.
Abbas, who failed to score off the lone penalty corner his side earned against India, struck his second set-piece goal as Pakistan took a 4-0 lead by half-time.