GUANGZHOU: Defending champions South Korea and Pakistan recorded emphatic wins on Sunday to set up a semi-final clash in the Asian Games men’s field hockey.
India, who topped group B with four straight wins after a 3-2 success over Japan, will clash with Malaysia in Tuesday’s other semi-final. Malaysia, needing a draw against China to join South Korea from group A, fought off a determined challenge from the hosts before securing a 4-2 victory.
Pakistan bounced back from the loss to India a day earlier to outclass Bangladesh 6-1 and finish second in group B behind their arch-rivals. South Korea, seeking a hat-trick of titles after winning golds in 2002 and 2006, whipped Singapore 12-1 in their last league match to top Malaysia on goal difference.
Veterans Shakeel Abbasi and Sohail Abbas fashioned Pakistan’s win over Bangladesh with two goals apiece, while Muhammad Imran also pumped in two penalty corners. Abbasi put Pakistan ahead in the 13th minute with a brilliant reverse flick and Abbas increased the margin two minutes later with a stinging penalty corner.
Top shots prosper to reach men’s hockey semi-finals
