Champions Trophy: India face Australia in semis

MELBOURNE: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan marched into the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy while Australia's hopes of a fifth straight title remain on target after beating England 2-0 in Melbourne on Thursday.

The Netherlands also progressed to the final four after easily disposing of New Zealand 2-0.

India, chasing their first Trophy medal for 30 years, edged out Belgium 1-0, while Pakistan upset Olympic champions Germany 2-1.

While making the semi-final is an achievement for India, they now face the much tougher task of playing Australia before a capacity home crowd.

Pakistan will also be underdogs again when they take on the Dutch in Saturday's semi-finals.

India, a bronze medalist at the 1982 event at Amstelveen, are bidding to play in their first Trophy final.

Unlike their other wins at the tournament, India's win over Belgium was hard fought. The win came despite the Belgians controlling much of the match, however they were unable to convert their many opportunities.

The Indians made them pay, scoring a goal against the run of play through Nithin Thimmaiah in the 13th minute.

Pakistan are one win away from their first Champions Trophy final since 1998 after upsetting the Germans.

Pakistan's win was due largely to Shakeel Abbasi, who dominated and scored both of his team's goals.

Australia saw off the English threat with a first-half goal to Jamie Dwyer and a final goal to Chris Ciriello sealing the match.

The Dutch were pleased to progress to the last four, yet coach Paul van Ass said he didn't feel his team played their best.

After scoring first through Jeroen Hertzberger, Netherlands struggled to find a way through until a brilliant run into the circle by Sander de Wijn for Billy Bakker to convert for a two-goal cushion and passage into the semi-finals. (AFP)