India takes on Pakistan on Friday

Still not assured of a place in the summit clash, an unbeaten India will not settle for anything less than a victory when it takes on Pakistan in the final group match of the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Friday.

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 it through to the final, the young Indian team would like to avoid such a scenario as then its fate would rest on the outcome of other matches.

Pakistan is on top of the table with nine points followed by India with eight. Japan is third on seven points with Korea stationed fourth having six in its kitty. That means going into Friday’s games all four teams are in with a chance of entering the final. India can afford a draw provided Malaysia beats Japan. India could then sneak into the final on better goal average, that too if Korea beats China, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. On the other hand, if India beats Pakistan, goal averages would also count for Pakistan and Korea.

Indian women lose

Meanwhile, the Indian women’s hockey team crashed to its third consecutive defeat, losing 4-0 to China in its last group match on Thursday. China scored through Yudiao Zhao (6th, 66th) and Yibo Ma (23rd, 65th).

India will now have to pull something out of the ordinary to beat Japan and pick up a bronze in the tournament.

In an earlier match, Korea beat Japan 1-0 and will now meet China in the final on Saturday. Korea scored through Cheon Seul Ki off a penalty corner in the 14th minute.