Arch-rivals India and Pakistan set up a potentially explosive semi-final clash in the Champions Trophy field hockey after recording identical 4-2 wins over fancied opponents on Thursday.
Hosts India, the former masters of the game lying ninth in the rankings, fought back from a 0-2 deficit to beat number four Belgium in front of a packed house of 7,000 in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar.
Eleventh-ranked Pakistan bounced back from three successive defeats in the preliminary league to stun number two the Netherlands 4-2 after Muhammad Irfan slammed in two quick penalty corners in the fourth quarter.
Olympic champions Germany will meet world number one Australia in Saturday’s other semi-final.
