Indian men’s hockey team defeated Pakistan 2-1 in its final group stage match at the Asian Champions Trophy on Saturday.
It was captain Harmanpreet Singh’s (13’, 19’) brace that ensured India ended the league stage unbeaten and at the top of the points table. For Pakistan, Ahmad Nadeem (8’) scored the lone goal.
Although India made an aggressive start to the match with a couple of circle entries in the opening minutes, it was Pakistan that drew the first blood through Ahmad Nadeem in the eighth minute. After taking a couple of shots on target, Pakistan successful when Hannan Shahid made an impressive run through the middle and passing it to Nadeem, who found the back of the net from close range.
India fought back and scored an equalizer in the 13th minute as Harmanpreet made no mistake in converting the first penalty corner of the match. The final minutes saw some end-to-end action, but neither side could find an opening, and the first quarter ended in a 1-1 gridlock.
FOLLOW | India vs Pakistan hockey HIGHLIGHTS, Asian Champions Trophy 2024
India started the second quarter brightly and was 2-1 ahead in the 19th minute as Harmanpreet converted the second penalty corner of the match.
India had a better share of possession in the following minutes, but couldn’t create much danger as it kept losing the ball frequently. Pakistan, on the other hand, managed to create a half-chance, but Nadeem’s pass missed Rooman. The Men in Green also earned their first penalty corner at the stroke of the half time, but Sufyan Khan’s drag-flick hit the bar, and India ended the first half with a slender 2-1 lead.
India controlled the ball at the start of the third quarter, with flank-to-flank passing to push Pakistan deep into its circle. A miss tackle by Sufyan Khan on Araijeet Singh Hundal at the top of the circle earned India its third penalty corner of the match, but Harmanpreet’s drag-flick was blocked by Pakistan’s first-rusher.
The latter phase of the third quarter saw Pakistan increase its intensity. It earned a series of penalty corners, but Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak stood tall to deny Pakistan an equaliser and ended the quarter with a 2-1 lead.
India earned back-to-back penalty corners at the start of the final quarter, but Pakistan’s defense averted the danger. Tempers flared as both teams pushed each other from one end to the other, searching for an opening. Ashraf Waheed Rana received a 10-minute yellow card for a physical foul on Jugraj Singh in India’s circle.
With the extra man, India mounted pressure on Pakistan with relentless attacks but missed out on capitalising as it kept losing possession in the final third. With two minutes to go, Manpreet Singh received a yellow card, leaving both teams with 10 men apiece.
India earned another penalty corner with 90 seconds left on the clock, but Harmanpreet’s shot was blocked, and the rebound was missed by the Sukhjeet Singh. The defending champions then ran down the clock to edge past Pakistan.
India will play the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 semifinal on 16th September at 15:30 IST. It’s opponent will be decided after the last league stage match of the tournament.
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