Champions Challenge Cup, Argentina - - Pakistan Booked Their Place in Semi Finals After Beating South Africa by 4-1

SALTA,ARGENTINA, Dec 11 (APP)- Pakistan launched a rare guard second half action to rout South Africa 4-1 and breezed into the semi finals to set up a clash with arch rivals India in Champions Challenge Cup here on Thursday at Popeye baseball club. India beat Belgium 4-2 to move to the semi finals. New Zealand which drew 2-2 with China also moved to the semi finals to play hosts Argentina.After a days rest tomorrow, Friday, both the semi finals will be played on December 12.

After 1-1 in first half, the green shirts demonstrated prime form to edge past their opponents with a fury of attacks, hammering two goals in space of four minutes taking 3-1 lead which diminished the spirit of their high speed opponents. From Pakistan young left winger Muhammad Irfan made his debut in international hockey. Pakistani team came with full force and renewed pledge to add their three goals in 15 minutes in the second half which revealed their domination, aggression and quest for hunting goals. Pakistani team felt its presence at the field when Sohail Abbas translated the third short corner in a goal with a power push before wasting two short corners. The first half saw some ideal scoring chances wasted by Pakistani forwards including Akhtar Ali in the 2nd minute and in the mid of the half. Rehan Butt appeared off coloured on some occasions in the mid of the striking circle in second half. Pakistani forwards repeated similar mistakes which they demonstrated against Argentina which beat them 3-1 to spoil their chances for semi final qualification. Pakistan beat Canada 2-1 in its first match. Pakistan were in a must win situation against South Africa to reach the semi finals. South African team attempted their two first half short corners but failed and two minutes before the close of the first session their reliable forward Lloyd Jones Norris scored with a reserve flick while hitting a moving ball inside the circle after most of the defenders were beaten. Pakistani team scored the first field of the tournament through forward Shakeel Abbasi who was set by right half Muhammad Irfan in the 49th minute. Then onward Pakistan team seemed master of the situation and their controlled game and coordination left their opponents helpless. Off the 5th short corner, Haseem Khan who was earlier suspended through a yellow card, scored in an indirect drill in the 52nd minute and goal was enough to dump South African team and Pakistani forwards kept on roaring on the field with speed and anticipation with Akhtar Ali completing the tally with a superb hit in 63rd minute.