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India-Pakistan match is always attractive and exciting be it at any level. But this evening India will face Pakistan that will decide who of the classical superpowers of hockey will remain in medal contention in the Commonwealth Games. A win is must for India to qualify while even in case of a draw Pakistan will join Australia to progress to the semifinals from pool A.
India started their campaign with a hard earned win over Malaysia where team India came back from deficit twice to come out 3-2 winners at last. However, fragile Indian was broken open in the next match against Australia where India lost 2-5. In the third match, India got a deserved 4-0 victory over minnows of the group Scotland. On the other hand Pakistan have shown more consistency in their performance losing against Australia by the lowest possible margin and posting big wins of 4-1 and 3-0 over Malaysia and Scotland respectively. Before going into this match Pakistan will be in a more comfortable situation with a better goal difference and a consistent team performance. Indian team will be a more worried lot due to large number of defensive errors and low conversion of penalty conversion so far in the tournament. However, support of home crowd and a morale boosting 4-0 win over Scotland will inspire the Indian team to repeat their feat of beating Pakistan in Delhi after the world cup.
Australia have secured their place in the semifinals with wins over India, Pakistan and Scotland (9-0). They face Malaysia today in the last match. In pool B
England, South Africa, New Zealand and Canada each have a chance of qualifying to the semis. Top placed England will face South Africa and the winner of the match is sure of a spot n last four. England will qualify with a draw too and
will have to depend on mathematics if they lose. Canada and New Zealand will lock horns to have their own share of fight for the next round. Winner takes one of the top two spots in the pool for sure and loser goes out while a draw will eliminate Canada and New Zealand’s kismet will depend upon the previous match.
Indian women’s team put up an inspired performance last evening to defeat South Africa 3-1 but that was not enough to take them to the semi finals. India needed a win by a margin of at least 4 goals after drawing their previous match against Scotland. In the semifinals Australia will face England while South Africa will take on New Zealand.
