India produced an inspirational performance with a magnificent come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Belgium to set-up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament, here on Thursday.
It was a fantastic comeback after being down 0-2 within 18th minute courtesy goals from Felix Denayer (12th minute) and Sebastien Dockier (18th). But the hosts, ranked ninth in the world immediately pulled one back in that very minute through Rupinder Pal Singh (18th) of the game.
SK Uthappa (27th) levelled the proceedings while Akashdeep Singh (41st) and Dharamvir Singh (49th) also scored in one of India's most famous victory in recent time.
The arch-rivals will meet in the second semi-finals on Saturday. World champions Australia will meet Olympic champions Germany in another last-four match. By virtue of this win, India has also avenged upon their 2-3 defeat against Belgium in this year's World Cup at The Hague, Netherlands.
India were slow to get off the block as Belgium dominated the first quarter and earned two successive penalty corners inside the first 10 minutes but an alert India custodian PR Sreejesh foiled the second attempt with his out-stretched legs. Danish Mujtaba missed a golden chance to score for India from the following counter-attack as he hit straight to the Belgian goalkeeper Vincent Vanash from a Dharamvir Singh pass.
Belgium hit India hard minutes later when Denayer's drag-flick found the back of the net from their third penalty corner. India did not have the best of starts in the second quarter as well three minutes into the quarter Sebastian scored with a lovely touch from Tanguy Cosyns pass. The Indian defence should only be blamed for the second goal as they did not close down on Cosyns quickly and gave the Belgian forward ample time to find his man.
Hurt by the two goals but buoyed by the 7,000 strong home crowd at the Kalinga Stadium, the Indian team bounced back strongly and went on the offensive, which resulted in their first penalty corner and Rupinder was at his lethal best to pull one back for the hosts.
Minutes later, Ramandeep Singh's shot from top of the circle was easily kicked away by Belgian custodian Vincent Vanash. Dharamvir then forced a fine save from Vanash.
Pumped up by the goal, India pressed hard thereafter and managed to draw level in the 27th minute of the game when S.K Uthappa was at the right place at the right time to neatly deflect home a V R Raghunath's delivery from outside the striking circle. India continued to attack in numbers in the third quarter which resulted in the third goal.
Australia beat Argentina 4-2
World champions and holders Australia finally got their mojo back and defeated Argentina 4-2 to secure their place in the semifinals of the Hero Champions Trophy hockey tournament at the Kalinga Stadium, here on Thursday.
After a not-so-impressive outing where they won one, lost one and drew one game, the Kookaburras got their act together and dished out a much superior performance to down World Cup bronze medallist Argentina. Daniel Beale (42nd) first scored from an open play before Chris Ciriello fired home a penalty corner to give Australia a two-goal cushion. Argentina tried hard to make a comeback thereafter but failed to breach the alert Australian defence.
Pakistan stun Netherlands
Putting their disappointing pool campaign behind, an inspired Pakistan notched up their first win over the Netherlands in 16 years, stunning the World Cup and Olympic silver medallist 4-2 to reach the semifinals of Hero Champions Trophy hockey.
The 4-2 win was Pakistan's first win over the Dutch in the Champions Trophy in 12 attempts, a run dating back to 1998 edition of the tournament in lahore. The Netherlands coach Max Caldas was critical of his team's display on Thursday. "We were disappointing. We lacked discipline. It didn't look like we are ready to win the game," he said.
Germany down England 2-0
Olympic champions Germany produced a perfect game to beat England 2-0 in an all-European battle en route their semi-final berth in the Hero Champions Trophy hockey tournament. Germany finally broke the deadlock just at the stroke of halftime from their sixth penalty corner with skipper Furste finding the top corner of the net with a fierce drag-flick.
England also secured two penalty corners but on both occasion Ashley Jackson was denied by an alert German goalie Nicolas Jacobi. Two minutes from time, any hopes of England's comeback was dashed Christopher Ruhr coolly finished off a move from close range.