Arch-rivals India and Pakistan set up a potentially explosive semi-final clash in the Champions Trophy field hockey after recording identical 4-2 wins over fancied opponents on Thursday.

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Hosts India, the former masters of the game lying ninth in the rankings, fought back from a 0-2 deficit to beat number four Belgium in front of a packed house of 7,000 in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar. (All AFP, AP and NDTV images)

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Belgium led 2-0 by the 18th minute, but scores were level at half-time as India hit back through Rupinder Singh and Sannu Uthappa.

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Backed by a boisterous home crowd, India picked up the pace and were rewarded with a goal in each of the last two quarters, the scorers being Akashdeep Singh and Dharamvir Singh. (Rupinder Pal in pic)

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"Today's game showed we are improving all the time," said Dutchman Roelant Oltmans, who is India's high performance director and acting coach following the resignation of Australian Terry Walsh.

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Pakistan stunned Pool B winners the Netherlands 4-2 as their perfectly executed counter-attacks saw them put memories of a poor group stage firmly in the past with an excellent quarter-final win.

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It was their first win over the Dutch in the Champions Trophy in 12 attempts, a run dating back to 1998.

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Australia, chasing what would be an incredible sixth successive title, ousted Argentina 4-2 in another quarter-final match.

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Olympic champions Germany will meet world number one Australia is Saturday's other semi-final. The Germans knocked England out of the race with a 2-0 win.

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Hockey Champions Trophy: India Set up Semis With Pakistan

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan set up a potentially explosive semi-final clash in the Champions Trophy field hockey after recording identical 4-2 wins over fancied opponents on Thursday.