
KUALA LUMPUR, NOV 24: Sohail Abbas was at his best yet again as he powered home a penalty corner late in the second half to give Pakistan a 1-0 victory over reigning champions South Korea and an easy semi-final clash with Malaysia in the Asia Cup hockey tournament here today.
Penalty corner specialist Abbas struck in the 61st minute of the match as Pakistan topped the group with an all-win record at the Bukit Jalil Stadium here.
The former champions thus avoided a potentially explosive clash with arch-rivals India. Korea, who finished second in the group with nine points face a tough task against India, Pool B toppers in the first semi-final after tomorrow8217;s rest day.
Earlier, in an inconsequential Pool A match, Japan defeated Hong Kong 4-1. Naohike Tobilta struck a brace and Shuji Fukasawa and Takahiko Yamabori contributed one each for Japan while skipper Farooq Saeed scored the consolation goal for Hong Kong.