India score over Nigeria

India registered its second straight victory in the men's hockey tournament at the Afro Asian Games, beating Nigeria 5-3 on Saturday.

In other matches, Pakistan beat Egypt 3-1, Korea beat South Africa 2-0 and Malaysia drubbed Ghana 5-0.

Two goals by drag-flicker Len Aiyappa was the highlight of India's easy victory. He scored twice after the Nigerians threatened to stage a fightback to ensure victory for India.

Dilip Tirkey put India ahead in the 25th minute and Deepak Thakur increased the lead in the 28th minute.

Three minutesfrom the breather Sandeep Michael made it 3-0 to place the hosts in a strong position at the breather.

In the second sesson, India relaxed the pace as a result of which the Nigerians pulled a goal back in the 55th minute through Oluwa Segun Ademisoro.

But Aiyappa scored in the 59th minute to make it 4-1.

Ademisoro scored his second goal of ther match in the 64th minute and Auwolu Lamido scored in the 73rd to reduce the deficit to 4-3, but Aiyappa put the issue beyond doubt with a neat flick in the 75th minute to seal a place for the team in the semi-finals along with Pakistan.

Pakistan almost assured themselves a place in the semi-finals after beating Egypt 3-1 for their second straight victory.

Pakistan, who looked out of sorts in the initial stages of the match, pulled up their socks in time to put Egypt out of the medal hunt.

Rehan Butt (9th minute), Shakeel Abbasi (38th) and Ghazanfar Ali (43rd) scored for Pakistan.

The win gave the Pakistanis, who are without key players including penalty-corner expert Sohail Abbas, some reason to cheer two days ahead of the their clash with arch-rivals India in the last league match.

Korea made it to the last four from Pool A after beating South Africa 2-0.

Hyo Sik Yoo (23rd minute) and Woon Keon Yeo (55th) scored Korea's goals.

However, despite the defeat, South Africa can still make it to the next stage if they beat Ghana and Malaysia lose to South Korea tomorrow.

South Africa are on one point, Malaysia are on four with one win and a draw.

Shanmuganathan Kuhan scored twice as Malaysia blanked Ghana 5-0 for their first victory in the tournament.

Malaysia, who opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against South Africa on Thursday, led 1-0 at half-time.

Though Abu Ismail gave the Asian side the lead in the 14th minute, it was only in the second-half that Malaysia could really impose themselves on Ghana.

Kuhan's strike from a penalty-corner in the 41st minute opened the floodgates as Malaysia scored four goals in the last 29 minutes to seal the fate of the African nation.

Kuhan scored his second goal in the 57th minute. It was followed by goals from Amin Muhammad (59th) and Mohammad Tajol (65th).

The win also came at the right time for the Malaysians as it took them a step closer to making the semi-finals from Pool A.