India shatter Pakistan dreams, surge into Azlan Shah final

IPOH (AFP) - A young Indian team edged Malaysia 2-1 on Saturday to qualify for the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup field hockey tournament.

India, with 12 points from four wins and two defeats, is ranked second in the seven-nation standing. The junior team will meet Argentina in Sunday's final.

Argentina had thrashed India 5-1 in the preliminary rounds of the tournament. In Saturday's game, they drew 2-2 with Canada but still topped the charts with 14 points from four earlier wins and two draws.

Hosts Malaysia finished last in the standings with four points from six matches. They will not feature in the playoff match.

Malaysia, who needed a win over India to play off for fifth place, had the chance to take the lead in the fifth minute.

Forward S. Selvaraju's hit from the left bounced off goalkeeper Adrian Dsouza's pads. However, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin failed to push the ball into the goal.