Bhubaneswar: Not many imagined it will India vs Pakistan for a place in the FIH Men's Champions Trophy here, but it's going to happen on Saturday. And the Odisha crowd is in for a treat - something they would have never witnessed.
At the end of the day, though, it's sport. One will win, one will lose. But it's easier said in terms of an Indo-Pak encounter. Whatever the battlefield, wherever it may be, fans on either side of the border can't fathom losing to their estranged neighbours.
Saturday is going to be no different. At stake for India will be a maiden entry into the final and a shot at their first Champions Trophy title, while Pakistan will want to add to their three titles in the tournament's 36-year history.
The form of the two teams hasn't been inspiring, to say the least. Both have played four matches here so far. Pakistan have won just one - the all-important quarter-final - and India came up winners on two occasions.
Pakistan owe their unexpected entry into the semis to Muhammad Irfan, whose brace closed the door on Netherlands for a comeback. India, on the other hand, showed a lots of guts to come from a 0-2 deficit to turn the tables on Belgium for a 4-2 victory in the quarters.
Here's how the two have travelled so far in the tournament:
PAKISTAN:
vs Belgium: Lost 1-2
vs England: Lost 2-8
vs Australia: Lost 0-3
vs Netherlands (quarter-final: won 2-4
INDIA:
vs Germany: Lost 0-1
vs Argentina: Lost 2-4
vs Netherlands: won 3-2
vs Belgium (quarter-final): won 4-2
No one gave Pakistan a chance in hell or heaven to be in the semis after being mauled by England in the league phase. But the tournament format, which allows all 8 teams to play the quarters irrespective of the pool results, shows what a good day can do to an awfully out-of-form team.
India, who have enjoyed overwhelming support here at the Kalinga Stadium, will hope their resilience and 12th man (crowd) once again come to the fore on Saturday for a famous win and set up a historic final.
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