Madrid, Mar 10: India and Pakistan qualify for Olympics. Belgium and Britain keep their hopes alive.
India made sure they will be at the 2004 men's Olympic hockey tournament when they beat Canada 6-4 in their final pool B match of the Olympic qualifier in Madrid on Tuesday (March 9). The victory enabled India to finish with ten points and make it to the semi-finals of the qualifying tournament. The top six teams in this tournament automatically qualify to play in Athens. Leading 4-0 at half time, and then 5-0 in the first minute after the break, the game seemed well and truly in the bag for India, who had recovered some attacking form. Then commenced a Canadian recovery, scoring four unanswered goals to bring the score to 5-4 with two minutes remaining.


India managed to quell any possible upset with a goal in the final minute, but not before they had a genuine scare that they may let the win slip from their grasp.


India were later joined in the semis from Pool B by Pakistan who beat New Zealand 4-1 to top the table. The New Zealanders needed to win by at least four goals to reach the semis and relegate Pakistan to the 5-8 playoffs.

Bureau Report