China edge past Pakistan in Asian Hockey Champions Trophy semi-final

HULUNBUIR CITY: China defeated Pakistan 2-0 in the penalty shoot-out during the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 semi-final clash here at the Moqi Hockey Training Base on Monday.

Pakistan and China both managed one goal each in the regular time after an intense battle, however, the Green Shirts failed to score a single penalty, leading to their ouster from the tournament.

The home side scored two goals in the penalty shoot-out to secure their place in the final.

For the unversed, Pakistan lost only one game in the group stages with arch-rivals India defeating them 2-1 in the final group match.

Pakistan started the blockbuster clash on a high as they took the lead just 10 minutes into the first quarter, courtesy of a precise assist from Hannan Shahid, who fed the ball inside the circle to Nadeem.

Nadeem effortlessly smashed the ball into the net to give Pakistan a head start.

Pakistan’s lead, however, was short-lived as India earned a penalty corner.

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India’s skipper Harmanpreet Singh took the penalty corner for India and successfully sent his drag-flick into the bottom-right corner, helping India equalise just a few minutes later.

The defending champions took the lead in the second quarter when Abhishek fed the ball to Harmanpreet near the circle, who similarly converted it into a goal.

The remaining two quarters of the blockbuster Asian Hockey Champions Trophy clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India remained goalless despite both sides making ferocious attacks on each other’s goalposts.

The 2-1 victory over Pakistan, meant India won all of their group-stage fixtures and topped the standings with 15 points. Whereas, Pakistan had two victories and as many draws before their defeat against India.

Remember, Pakistan have already qualified for the semi-final of the ongoing Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 after thumping China 5-1 on Thursday.

Abdul Rehman opened the scoring for Pakistan before Nadeem Ahmed and Hannan Shahid scored two goals each to secure a dominant 5-1 victory for the Green Shirts.

This is Pakistan’s second consecutive victory in the tournament as they defeated Japan 2-1 in their third game.

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