China stun Pakistan to move into men's hockey final

Doha, Dec 12 (UNI) Lu Fenghui's golden goal ensured unfancied China continue their giant killing spree, slaying another sub-continental powerhouse Pakistan 2-1, to storm into the finals of men's hockey competition at the Asian Games here tonight.

China, who had shocked India 3-2 earlier in the tournament, accounted for Pakistan in the semifinals and thus sending both the former champions scurrying for cover and putting their Beijing Olympics berths uncertain.

The Chinese taught the Pakistanis a lesson or two in physical fitness, speed, stamina and virtually repeated the form which they had displayed against the Indians.

The Pakistanis got ten penalty corners but failed to convert any while the Chinese got two and made use both of them. Against India also China got three chances and they converted all of them while their rivals fiddled away several opportunities.

The Chinese, thus, handed an equal treatment to the two sub-continental giants, knocking them out of the direct qualification for the Beijing Olympics which they will host in 2008.

Both the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time and the Chinese sealed the fate of the Pakistanis when Fenghui Lu converted a penalty corner in extra time, triggering off scenes of wild celebrations in the Chinese bench.

The Pakistanis, who were expected to easily make it to the final, shot into the lead in the 20th minute of the contest when captain Rehan Butt produced a gem of a field goal, outwitting the Chinese defenders with deft stickwork.

The Chinese found the equaliser just at the stroke of the hooter when Yu Yang converted a penalty corner much to the delight of his teammates.

Another penalty corner conversion nine minutes into extra time left the Pakistanis in a daze. The Pakistani players argued with the umpires disputing the decision and took a long time to come off the field.

UNI HSB PDS BD2330