India beats Pakistan in men’s handball

India had defeated Malaysia 45-19 earlier at the Asian Games on August 20.

India's Ramesh Chand tries to score a goal as Malaysia's Najhan Md Bohari defends during the men's handball main round Group 3 match between India and Malaysia at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 20, 2018 (FILE IMAGE)

The Indian men’s handball team defeated Pakistan 28-27 in a pulsating contest to notch up its second consecutive win in the main round at the Asian Games on Friday.

The Indians who led 14-12 at half time itself saw Greenidge D’Cunha score nine goals while Adithya Nagaraj was on target six times. The other goal scorers were Navin Punia (four), Karamjeet Singh (four), Harender Singh (three), Avin Khatkar (one) and Deepak Ahlawat (one).

Goalkeeper Atul made 11 saves.

Handball Federation of India Secretary General Anandeshwar Pandey said that the men’s team is expected to finish at a higher placing than the last Asian Games in 2014.

“The men’s team had finished 14th in Incheon in 2014 but this time it will finish at 10th at the lowest. It can finish higher (than 10th) also,” Pandey said.