Ordos (China): Still not assured of a place in the summit clash, an unbeaten India will not settle for anything less than a victory when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the final group match of the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Thursday.
On paper, the high-voltage Indo-Pak encounter might be just a group match but in reality it is a showdown between two traditional rivals out to annex a spot in Sunday’s final.
Although a draw against Pakistan also could see them through to the final, the young Indian team would like to avoid such a scenario as then their fate will rest on the outcome of other matches.
Pakistan are on top of the table with nine points followed by India with eight. Japan are third on seven points with Korea stationed fourth having six in their kitty. That means going into tomorrow’s games all four teams are in with a chance of entering the final
Thus, Thursday’s match against Pakistan becomes a virtual semifinal for India.
India can afford a draw provided Malaysia beat Japan. The Indians could then sneak into the final on a better goal average, that too if Korea beat China, the lowest ranked team in the tournament.
India on Wednesday fought back from a goal down to hold Malaysia 2-2.
The scorers for India were Ravi Pal (9th) and Danish Mujtaba (52nd). For Malaysia, the goals were struck by Tajuddin Jalil (24th) and Muhammad Amin Rahim (32nd).
India needed a win to be assured of a place in the final. A win against Malaysia would have given the Indians 10 points.
On the other hand, if India beat Pakistan, goal averages would also count for Pakistan and Korea.
Considering all the permutations and combinations, the safest bet for India thus would be to beat Pakistan.
The match would also give India an opportunity to avenge their 1-3 loss to Pakistan in this year’s Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia. (PTI)