Asian Champions Trophy 2011: Pakistan vs India, a battle for final

KARACHI: The Asian Champions Pakistan will take on arch rival India in the all important match of inaugural edition of Asian Champions Trohpy 2011 today as Indian hockey team is in must win situation to enter into the final.

Pakistan hockey team came into the tournament as favourites and have won three matches and suffered only defeat against Japan. On the other hand, Indian hockey team yet to taste defeat in the competition as they won two matches and drawn two.

Pakistan only need a draw against India to qualify for the first ever edition of Asian Champions Trophy as they are leading the points table with 9 points in four matches, while India are in must win situation agaisnt Pakistan as they managed to secure eight points in their four matches and the match against Pakistan is more like semi final for both teams.

In the past, Pakistan hockey team always had an upper hand against their arch rivals India but in the last nine matches, India are enjoying a better record as they won six matches and lost only three matches agaisnt Pakistan.But Pakistan have won their last encounter which was played in Guangzhou, China during the 16th Asian Games 2010 where Pakistan won the Gold medal.

Pakistan have the unique record of winning inaugural edition of all the important international hockey events like World Cup, Champions Trophy, Asia Cup and Asian Games and the current tournament of Asian Champions Trophy is also the first edition of its kind and Pakistan hockey team have the capability of winning this tournament as well.

Pakistan team manager Khawaja Junaind is excited about the match against India and said that his team will play for win against India and not go for draw. This is also important to mention here that Paksitan hockey selection committee had rested its key senior players center forward Rehan Butt, goal keeper Salman Akbar and world record holder penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas and decided to test its young guns in the event.

The hockey fans from both countries are anxiously waiting for the all important clash and are praying for their team victory in the competition.