Pakistan beat India, reach Champions Trophy Hockey Final

Pakistan scored a scintillating 4-3 victory over India in the second semifinal at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar to set up a summit clash with Germany. The winning goal was scored by Pakistan in the dying moments of the game with less than 90 seconds to go.

India took the lead through Gurjinder, but Pakistan bounced back to take a 2-1 lead. India equalised, but Pakistan again took the lead. With 90 seconds to go, India and Pakistan were locked at 3-3. But, Muhammad Qadir scored the winning goal to dash the Indian hopes. He had scored another goal in the 17th minute too. Muhammad Waqas (32nd) and Muhammad Irfan (44th) were the other scorers

For India, Gurjinder Singh (12), Dharamvir Singh (38) and Nikkin Thimmaiah (44) scored the goals.

Pakistan will now take on Germany in the final. India have never reached the final of Champions Trophy Hockey. They failed to break the jinx this time too. They will now play Australia in the bronze medal match. Pakistan, which all lost all three league matches, beat Netherlands and India to reach the final.

Pakistan avenged the Asian Games defeat with this win. In the 2014 Asian Games final at Incheon, India defeated Pakistan in penalty shootout to win a gold medal. At full time, they were locked at 1-1. But, goalkeeper Sreejesh produced brilliant saves to help India win the match 4-2.