Date:17/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051755631800.htm

Sport - Hockey

Crucial tie for India today

India has nine points from five games
A win will push it up to the second spot

Ipoh: India takes on Malaysia on Saturday in the crucial sixth match of the seven team league in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament which concludes on Sunday. After the stunning 2-1 victory over Pakistan, the young Indian team, under new coach, A.K. Bansal, is tipped to meet Argentina in the final on May 18.

India now has nine points, and a win against Malaysia will push it up to the second spot, presently occupied by Pakistan with 10 points.

Argentina leads with 13 points with a match against Canada remaining on Saturday.

On Thursday, after India beat Pakistan, New Zealand beat Canada 3-0, while the home team Malaysia lost to Belgium 2-4 to slip down to the last place on the table.

Team position: (read played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, Points):

Argentina: 5-4-1-0-17-6-13; Pakistan: 6-3-1-2-18-16-10; India 5-3-0-2-15-15-9; Belgium 5-2-0-3-14-16-6; New Zealand 5-2-0-3-11-13-6; Canada 5-1-1-3-5-10-4; Malaysia 5-1-1-3-8-14-4.

Saturday’s matches: Argentina v Canada; India v Malaysia; New Zealand v Belgium.