Pakistan will be facing their toughest game today when they take on Bhutan in the final game of the Group 'A' preliminary round. Pakistan and Maldives are on equal points (6). This game decides the defending champion Pakistan entry into the semi-final or not.

If they are to qualify action alone is not sufficient but they should have a better goal rate above 4 goals. If they fail to come out with this performance they are sure to be eliminated from the semis giving way for the Maldivians the opportunity of playing in the last four.

Pakistan who arrived in the island a little later played against hosts Sri Lanka one goal to nil to keep their hopes alive of defending the title. But the unexpected happened when the Maldivians inflicted heavy 6 goal beating them in the dying stages of the game. This victory of Maldives also kept the Group 'A' wide open with three teams having three points each while the fourth team Bhutan failed to collect any points.

Already, the semi-finalists from Group 'B' have emerged with India and Nepal in front of the points table. Sri Lanka at present is on top of Group 'A' with six points from two wins out of three games.

Sri Lanka will face Nepal, the second placed team in Group 'B' in the semis while India take on either Pakistan on Maldive depending on today's result in the other semi-final scheduled for Thursday at Sugathadasa Stadium.

A draw for Pakistan also will pave the way for Maldives to go to the last four Maldives will be happy to see a draw in this game between Pakistan and Bhutan.