India take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinals of the Champions Challenge I hockey tournament in Salta, Argentina, on Saturday.

Playing their last league game on Thursday night, India spanked Belgium 4-2 to finish top of Group A.
They will now face Pakistan — placed second in Group B — while Argentina meet New Zealand in the other semi-final.

India, who needed just a draw to make the last-four, were tied 2-2 with the Belgians at half-time. Pakistan, on the other hand, thrashed South Africa 4-1 to finish second in Group B.

The teams were lacklustre to begin with as chances went abegging at both ends, including a penalty-corner that India shot wide. India controlled most of the play with Shivendra Singh and Prabhjot Singh being active upfront, but the Belgian defence held tight.

India scored their first goal through a penalty-corner in the 19th minute, with a low flick from Dhananjay Mahadik.

Belgium equalised with a penalty-stroke by Jerome Dekeyser in the 24th minute. Less than a minute later, a field goal by Renaud Pangrazio helped them go ahead.

The end of the period was dominated by India with a goal by Shivendra, who was left unmarked on the far post, in the 30th minute helping the team equalise.

Striker Tushar Khandker scored the go-ahead goal in the 48th minute, after a series of saved shots, but Belgium were not down yet and goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza had to pull a spectacular diving save to protect the Indian net.

Belgium continued with the same intensity but the Indian defence denied them until the end, scoring a last second goal by Prabhjo