India eye redemption against Pakistan

London, June 23 

Bruised and battered after their shocking ouster from the title race, an inconsistent India would look for solace when they take on Pakistan in the fifth-eighth classification match of the Hockey World League SemiFinal tomorrow.

India crashed out of the podium race after suffering a 2-3 loss to Malaysia in a quarterfinal match yesterday.

The loss to Malaysia, their second in two months, would be hard to digest for Roelant Oltmans’ men who have been trying hard to regain their place in the elite league of world hockey.

The loss did not make any difference to India's participation in this year's Hockey World League Final and next World Cup as being the hosts they are already assured of a place in the two events to held in Bhubaneswar.

Even though India hold an edge over Pakistan having thrashed them 7-1 in the pool stage, the tussle between the two nations can be unpredictable.

Emotions will run high on both the sides, and come tomorrow, Pakistan will be desperate for a revenge. The defeat against Malaysia still fresh in their minds, it remains to be seen how the Indians regroup so quickly.

Canada and China will lock horns in the fifth-eighth classification match while Argentina will play Malaysia in the first semifinal followed by the second last four clash between hosts England and The Netherlands. — PTI

Batra apologises for emotional outburst  

New Delhi: FIH president Narinder Batra has apologised to several nations, including Pakistan, for his social media outburst during the Hockey World League SemiFinal match between India and Pakistan in London. “FIH president Narinder Dhruv Batra has issued personal apologies via formal letters and follow-up phone calls to several nations and the FIH executive board in relation to posting inappropriate comments on his personal Facebook page,” a FIH statement said. — PTI