Hockey World League Semi-Final - India vs Pakistan

Highlights

• Q4 ends & India-Pakistan play out an enterprising 2-2 draw

• Q3 ends with India 2-2 Pakistan

• Ramandeep makes it 2-2

• Imran's second strike helps Pakistan to 2-1 lead

• Yellow card for Satbir as Q2 ends with India 1 - 1 Pakistan

• Muhammad Imran scores to level

• Q1 ends with India leading 1-0

• Ramandeep strike helps India take the lead

Six months after their controversial and tempestuous Champions Trophy semifinal in Bhubaneswar, arch-rivals Pakistan and India meet once again, this time in a highly anticipated Pool A encounter of the Hockey World League Semi-final.

Read more: WHL - India vs Poland

The last time the teams faced each other in Champions Trophy semifinals in Bhubaneswar, sparks flew. The on-field celebration gestures from a Pakistani players not only had the crowd riled up, but also drew suspensions. Hence, when the team face each other tonight, the players will be on their edge.

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India have won both their games till now in the tournament and lead the Pool A table with maximum six points. They managed a hard-fought victory against France (3-2) and then strolled to a win against a much weaker Poland (3-0). However, in none of the matches have India looked at the top of their game. No wonder, the captain Sardar Singh has cautioned his teammates before the Pakistan test.

Pakistan are in a much worse state.

They somehow managed to put a win past Poland (2-1) and then were totally outclassed by the Australians. They were hammered 6-1 by the Aussies. Pakistan would be desperate to win this encounter because apart from bragging rights, this tournament is the last opportunity for Pakistan to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, having lost the Asian Games gold medal to India.

Incidentally, Pakistan have played at every Olympics since their first appearance in 1948, but they failed to feature in the 2014 World Cup.

India though, don't have such worries having already qualified for the Rio games. However, India will not like to lose against Pakistan. They never do, in any sport!