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Pakistan, South Korea fancied

Keen contests are on the cards as South Korea take on India and Pakistan lock horns with Malaysia in the semi-finals of the fifth Asia Cup men's hockey tournament in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

Going by their impressive performances thus far in the tournament, both Pakistan and South Korea start as firm favourites against inconsistent rivals.

The coaches of all the four teams however echoed confidence about winning the cup at a news conference. Indian coach V Baskaran said his team - which will miss the services of Samir Dad who is down with viral fever - has not yet peaked but will do well as ''the knock-out stage is something different''.

Indian manager K Jothikumaran too was optimistic of reaching the final.

South Korean coach Kim Sang Ryul chose to down play his team's strengths. ''Hockey is a game and the Indians are very skillful,'' he said.

Kim will make his team play at the Indians' weaknesses, especially their lack of endurance. South Korea's power-packed midfield will also like to take the lion's share of ball possession, but with Baljit Saini fully fit, the Indians are expected to come out all guns blazing.

Much will depend on how the wily Dhanraj Pillay performs. He has shown bursts of his old brilliance and if he can strike a good combination with his mates upfront, then India could well clinch a place in the Sunday's final.

The semi-final between Pakistan and Malaysia is going to be no less a delight. Pakistan have scored 32 goals in the tournament, 15 of which have come from the stick of a 23-year-old Sohail Abbas, who has to his credit the record of scoring 53 goals in 1999.

Manager Shanaz Sheikh said he is confident that his forward line of Atif Basheer and Mohammed Sarwar will provide enough opportunity for Abbas to score more goals.

Malaysian coach Stephen Van Heuse said: ''My team will concentrate on containing their (Pakistan's) forwards.''

UNI