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Thursday, Jun 05, 2008
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India hopes to keep winning

Male: Despite injury worries, India will be keen to carry on the good form and stamp its authority over a demoralised Pakistan in its second Group ‘A’ match of the SAFF Championship football here on Thursday.

India is on a high after its 4-0 thumping of Nepal in the rain-soaked opener on Tuesday, while Pakistan was out of sorts in another match, losing 0-3 to host Maldives at the National Stadium.

A win on Thursday will virtually seal a semifinals berth for the four-time winner and defending champion besides continuing the winning momentum before the last match against host Maldives on June 7.

Fine touch

Captain Baichung Bhutia was in fine touch, scoring a spectacular bicycle kick goal and his strike partner Sunil Chetri finding the target off a diving header. The back four and the midfield were spot on for most part of the match.

On the other hand, Pakistan was below par on Tuesday with Maldives dominating throughout even with the presence of two England-based and one U.S.-based players.

“This is a good start for us, we are very happy. A 4-0 win in the first game has surely lifted the spirit of the team,” Coach Bob Houghton said on Tuesday. — PTI

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