Pakistan dumped Olympic champions Germany on Thursday to reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals along with holders Australia, India and the Netherlands. Pakistan got a 2-1 quarter-final victory over the Germans to set up a second encounter with the Dutch at the 34th edition of the prestigious hockey tournament. The Dutch, who beat Pakistan 3-1 in the group stage, advanced 2-0 over New Zealand.
--- Australia, India and Netherlands march on
India made the top four with a narrow 1-0 win over debutants Belgium and now face a daunting task against the hosts, holders and record 12-times winners Australia, who wrapped up the quarters 2-0 against England. Moritz Fuerste gave Germany an early lead, but Pakistan struck back thanks to veteran Shakeel Abbasi, who scored twice in the second half.
Abbasi's 2-1 penalty corner goal went to video review, but it was ruled a valid goal. "I'm a mentor for my team so realised I had to score," the 281-time Pakistan international said. Olympic silver medallists Netherlands sent New Zealand into the play-offs for fifth to eighth place with goals from Jeroen Hertzberger and Billy Bakker.
"Today was not our best game but reaching the semi-finals was our first goal," Dutchman Robbert Kemperman said, adding in reference to their next opponets: "It is good for hockey that Pakistan reached the semi-finals." Nithin Thimmaiah scored the winner against Belgium, who are yet to win a match, securing India's first top-four finish since 2004.
Coach Michael Nobbs' team will now go for their first Champions Trophy medal since 1982, but Saturday's semi-final against world champions Australia will be a tough challenge. "Our defence was amazing today. I thought they played their hearts out. This is a young bunch of kids and they just want to play hockey. They give you everything," Nobbs said.
The Kookaburras defeated England thanks to goals from Jamie Dwyer and Chris Ciriello and are taking nothing for granted against the record Olympic champions. "India have a couple of very skillful forwards. If we try to keep the ball for long periods I think we will be successful," Dwyer said.
The semi-finals are set for Saturday, and so is the relegation round where New Zealand take on Germany again (having lost 3-2 to them in the group stage) and Belgium face England. The top five of the tournament gain direct qualification for the 35th Champions Trophy held in India in 2014.
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