Pak, Korea make grade in style

Pakistan with three victories now have nine points, the same as Korea and tomorrow8217;s match should prove to be a virtual semi-final.

Reigning champions South Korea entered the semis overpowering China 6-1. It was a mismatch from the moment Woon Kon Yeo dribbled into the circle, drew out the goalkeeper and shot past him to activate the scoreboard in Korea8217;s favour.

China were not expected to put up a fight against the title-holders and when Korea ran up a 3-0 lead by the 22nd minute, China virtually threw thetowel in.

China, finally managed to shoot in a consolation goal when off a Korean defensive error, they moved into the Korean circle and earned a penalty corner. Wang Hai Feng shot in the goal to reduce the margin 3-1.

Later, Pakistan also did not go all out in the match and for a major portion of the match and also rested Sohail after he had scored twice in the first half. Sohail came off the bench in the 60th minute to score his third and Pakistan8217;s sixth goal.

Sohail remains the tournament8217;s top scorer with 14 goals.

Pakistan opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Arif Mohammed picked up a pass from the mid-field to enter the circle and sound the boards with a direct shot. Sohail got into the act in the 13th minute when his flick raced in beating a diving Bangladesh goalkeeper.

In the 25th minute, it was Sohail again whose flick was unstoppable. Three minutes before the break, Nadeem scored a field goal as Pakistan led 4-0 at the breather.

FIH denies Pakistan Championsslot

CHENNAI: The International Hockey Federation FIH today confirmed that Pakistan men8217;s hockey team and South Korea8217;s women will not participate in the Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Amstelveen, The Netherlands, from May 26 to June 4 next year.

Mary Coyle, FIH communications manager, said in a fax message, received here today, that both Pakistan and Korea would not normally have been eligible to participate. However, by virtue of a decision taken last month by the FIH council, they had been given an opportunity to join the six-team field, pending examination by the FIH and the Royal Dutch Hockey Association with regard to the financial and organisational implications.

Ultimately, it was determined that the related financial costs, to be borne by the host country in accommodating Korea and Pakistan, were too high to justify expanding the event, she said, adding, the panel of teams, therefore, would remain as follows.

Men8217;s: Australia defending champions, England, Germany,Korea, Spain and The Netherlands hosts.

Women8217;s: Argentina, Australia defending champions, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa and The Netherlands. PTI