India blank Sri Lanka 3-0 to reach SAG hockey finals

GUWAHATI: Gaganpreet Singh struck twice as Indian men’s hockey team spanked Sri Lanka 3-0 to set up a mouth-watering clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in the finals of the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) here on Monday. Gagandeep Singh (11th minute) produced a superb field goal to earn the first blood for India but it was Gaganpreet (34th, 64th) who showed his skills, converting two penalty corners to inflict a crushing defeat on the islanders. Early in the day, Pakistan mauled Bangladesh 6-0 to enter the summit clash. Umar (2nd minute), Shah (7th), Qadir MA (34th), Rehman (43rd, 65th) and Abbas (58th) were the scorers for Pakistan. The Indian hockey team had lost to arch-rivals Pakistan in the last edition of the Games in Dhaka in 2010 and the hosts will look to regain their glory at the M Tayebulla Hockey Stadium pitch. (PTI)