Hockey World League Semifinal, Live Score: India Face Arch-Rivals Pakistan in Grudge Match

India versus Pakistan – it doesn’t get bigger than this in the world of hockey. The age-old arch-rivals are once again set to lock horns in Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp.

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(All Times in IST)

19:33: The players are lining up. Time for the national anthems. First the Pakistan national anthem and then the Indian anthem.

19:25: India have performed well in this tournament so far beating France and Poland but the captain Sardar Singh has demanded more. “We are improving and we need to do a lot to that. We need to score more and more goals,” said the Indian captain

19:20: India takes on Pakistan in the HWL – definitely the blockbuster game of the tournament. The Indian team led by Sardar Singh is second in Pool A right now with two wins but Pakistan really need a win under their belt. Head-to-head – Played:161, India won: 52, Pakistan won: 80, Draw: 29

India v Pakistan: Arch rivals lock horns again!

© AFP

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. (India Face Stern Test vs Traditional Rivals Pakistan)

India have won both their games till now in the tournament and lead the Pool A table with maximum six points. They eeked out 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. (Sardar Singh Demands More Goals)

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. (Australia Spike Pakistan’s Challenge)

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!