Salta (Argentina): India spanked Belgium 4-2 in their final preliminary match to top Group A and set up a semifinal clash with Pakistan in the Champions Challenge I hockey tournament here.

Pakistan, on the other hand, thrashed South Africa 4-1 to finish second in Group B.

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

Belgium reacted well and after crashing a penalty-corner on the post, equalised with a penalty-stroke by Jerome Dekeyser in the 24th minute.

Less than a minute later, a field goal by Renaud Pangrazio helped it 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.

Khandekar scores

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

Belgium continued with the same intensity but the much focused Indian team denied it until the end, scoring a last second goal by Prabhjot.

With the win, India won Pool A ahead of New Zealand, Belgium and China.

After a rest day on Friday, India plays Pakistan in the semifinals on Saturday. — PTI