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Pakistan and Palestine through to suicide bomb semis

A late winner against the US consulate in Karachi has secured Pakistan qualification for the world suicide bomb semi-finals.

The little-fancied outsiders' sensational last-gasp effort means that they will now face the Tamil Tigers for a place in the final. The Tamils, despite having won three previous championships, struggled to progress against relatively weak opposition from Algeria and the Republic of the South Moluccas. It seems likely that they will now be swept aside by rising star Pakistan after peace initiatives in Sri Lanka wrecked their pre-tournament preparations.

Favourites Palestine also struggled against mixed opposition, including a much-depleted al-Qaeda squad. They eventually scraped through on casualty difference even after three team members were red-carded by Israeli security forces. They now face a tough challenge when they take on seasoned campaigners Colombia.

"The lads gave 110 per cent," said the Palestinians' Swedish coach Alfred Nobel. "As did the 14-year-old girls and their grieving relatives. It was touch-and-go for a while, but I think we're finding our form at the critical time."

The bookies agree, and have Palestine 2–1 on to lift the trophy. Nevertheless, several pundits have warned that Pakistan represent a real threat. "The Palestinians have always looked weak at the back, to be honest," opined one pundit. "Their defence is a mess, and they should remember that Pakistan has some world-class nutters. It could go either way."

The final will take place on 30 June at the purpose-built Divine Wind stadium in Yokohama, Japan.

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