Ipoh (Malaysia), June 3 (IANS) India’s slim hopes of playing the Azlan SAhah Cup hockey final ended the moment Britain beat Pakistan 2-1, the finalist to play New Zealand was decided when Argentina got the better of Malaysia 1-0 in the last league match here.
Though the third match Saturday was inconsequential for New Zealand, who had already made sure of a place in the final, their loss to Korea by a solitary goal had some say in the classification matches.
After their victory over Pakistan Friday, there was a mathematical chance for India making the final provided Britain and Argentina lost their last round-robin games Saturday.
It was too much to ask for and they had to finish fourth in the table behind Britain who finished third with 11, one point less than the finalists.
For New Zealand, Sunday’s final against Argentina will be their first title fight in the tournament.
India, as Michael Nobbs said after their game against Pakistan, will be happy to be on the podium by beating Britain and finishing third. In the league game, the Indian were beaten 2-3 by Britain.
Korea will take on Malaysia for the fifth and sixth places while Pakistan finished last in the seven-team tournament..
Great Britain rallied well in the second half to overcome Pakistan after being down by a backhanded goal scored by Haseem Khan utilizing a Waqas pass in the first session.
Midway through the second half, Britain leveled the scores through a Barry Middleton goal. Four minutes from the the hooter, Ashley Jackon struck the winner.
A last-minute goal by Jang Jong Hyun, converting a penalty corner, saw Korea beating New Zealand who took things a bit lightly having already made the final.
Korea 1 (Jong Jang Hyun) beat New Zealand 0.
Great Britain 2 (Barry Middleton, Ashley Jackson) beat Pakistan 1 (Muhammad Waqas).
Argentina1 (Pedro Ibarra) beat Malaysia 0.
New Zealand: Played 6, Won 4, Lost 2, Drawn 0, Goals for 18, Goals against 18, Points 12
Great Britain 6-3-2-1-13-10-11
Sunday’s classification matches: 5-6: Malaysia vs Korea; (1-05 p.m. IST); India vs Great Britain (3-35 p.m.); Final: New Zealand vs Argentina (6-05 p.m.).