Putting up a cohesive display, World Hockey XI defeated Indo-Pak XI 5-3 in a benefit match to raise funds for the victims of the October 8 earthquake, which killed thousands of people in India and Pakistan.

The match had the recognition of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and International Olympic Committee.

It was the Indo-Pak team that forged ahead in the 27th minute through Arjun Halappa, who converted a penalty stroke. But the lead was short-lived as German medio Sebastian Biederlack restored parity three minutes later.

The World XI wrested the initiative when star German forward Mathias Witthaus scored in the 34th minute, only to see Pakistan's Mohammed Shabbir drawing level five minutes later.

In the third quarter, German Tibor Weissenborn put the world team in the lead again, in the 44th minute, before Tariq Aziz of Pakistan came up with a spectacular effort to make it 3-3 in the 55th minute.

Two snap goals at the fag end of the fourth and final quarter sealed the fate of the Indo-Pak XI.

Dutchman Karel Klaver made it 4-3 in the 57th minute, while Australia's Jamie Dwyer settled the issue, scoring a minute from time to complete a fine win for the World XI.

The match was played in four quarters of 15 minutes each. During the break after the second quarter, Executive Director India Cements [Get Quote] N Ramachandran, presented a cheque of 10,000 euros to FIH President Els Van Brieda Vriesmann.

She appreciated the gesture of India Cements and congratulated Mr Ramachandran for sponsoring the match.

It may be recalled that more than 70,000 people died in Pakistan and about 1,500 in India in the earthquake on October 8.

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