New Zealand, Pakistan to play Champ’s Challenge final

Updated at: 0710 PST, Sunday, December 13, 2009
SALTA: New Zealand will meet Pakistan in the final of the Champions Challenge hockey tournament in Argentina after both teams won theirsemi-final matches. New Zealand beat Argentina 3-2, while Pakistan thrashed archrivals India 6-3. Sohail Abbas scored twice for Pakistan as India were thoroughly outplayed in the match played at Salta. In the other semi-final, New Zealand's Andrew Hayward tucked home a penalty-corner in the second minute of play, setting the tone for the match. Stung by the early goal, Argentina went in search of an equaliser and besieged the Black Sticks' goal but were kept at bay by some solid defence. Their pressure finally paid off on their second penalty-corner as Pedro Ibarra scored the equaliser. Phil Burrows scored in the 32nd minute to give the Black Sticks the lead at the end of first half. The Black Sticks tightened their play in the midfield in the second half and it took a while Argentina got a look at their goal from a penalty-corner shot by Pedro Ibarra. New Zealand were more efficient at the other end and scored on their first incursion into Argentinean territory through Shea McAleese. Argentina narrowed the gap in the 66th minute through Lucas Vila after a counter-attack from deep inside their territory but the Black Sticks locked the game down in a tense finish to win the match. The winners of the tournament will qualify for next year's six-nation Champions Trophy.