Pakistan all geared up for India hockey clash

KARACHI:

Pakistan is continuing its war for a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics, with the toughest task being a match on Friday at the Hockey World League Semi-Finals—-with India.

The crunch match between Champions Trophy silver-medallists Pakistan and Asian Games Champions India is the highlight of the tournament, with pride more at stake for the men in blue who have already qualified for the HWL Final and the Olympics.

The Pak-India clash will be the first of 2015 in hockey, with the Greenshirts having the extra edge as they have won their last three games against India — the last win came in the semi-finals of the 2014 Champions Trophy courtesy Arslan Qadir’s late goal.

After winning their opening clash to Poland 2-1 and losing the other on Thursday night to Australia 6-1, Pakistan skipper Muhammad Imran has promised to go all-out against their neighbours.