11 May,2011 09:03 AM IST | | AFP
India's coach insisted yesterday that there was "no room for emotions" on the eve of the highly anticipated grudge match against great rivals Pakistan at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
"Such sentiments can cost us the match as you will not be playing for the points. There is no doubt that this will be yet another good match-up, but we aim to take it as just another game," Indian coach Harinder Singh said.
Going into today's clash, India ufffd the reigning joint champions ufffd are third in the standings with seven points with two matches to go. Old foes Pakistan are one place and one point behind from the same number of games.
Matches between the neighbours in any sport are always fierce, but the showdown in Ipoh, in northern Malaysia, has taken on extra significance as both sides chase a place in the next round.
It will be the 149th meeting between the two giants of hockey since 1956, but Pakistan have the edge if records are anything to go by -- they have 74 wins compared to India's 49. A total of 25 matches ended in draws.
