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Asian Champions Trophy: India outclass Pakistan 3-1

India produce glittering hockey to beat Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy

Manpreet scores the equaliser for India against Pakistan (Image: Hockey India)

Muscat, October 21: India scored a facile 3-1 win over Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey here on Saturday night (October 20). It was India's second consecutive win in the tournament after beating Oman 11-0 earlier.

However, the match start on a jarring note for India as Irfan Jr put Pakistan ahead in the first minute itself through a penalty. Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh stopped the drag flick but Irfan was at the right position to nudge the ball into the box.

The first quarter ended with Pakistan holding onto the lead and if they had little more sense of target would have put them even farther ahead of India. But India got the equaliser a bit against the tide of the play and it required a piece of magic by Manpreet Singh. Manpreet dodged three Pakistan defenders and beat the custodian with a neat push to make it 1-1.

Thereafter India took charge of the match with relentless sorties. Pakistan attack never looked in comfort blocking the waves of Indian attack but they failed to capitalise as both the teams went for half-time tied on 1-1.

India went into lead at the beginning of the third quarter when Akashdeep combined with Mandeep Singh to execute a perfect finish. Fed by a neat pass by Akashdeep, Mandeep finished it off with a brilliant tap-in.

In the 42nd minute, India extended the lead through the troika of Akashdeep, Lalit and Dilpreet Singh. Akashdeep ignited the counter attack set off Lalit with a good pass and the latter found Dilpreet near the box who made no error while converting the chance. India 3 Pakistan 1.

With a comfortable lead at their hand, India replaced experienced custodian P R Sreejesh with Krishan Pathak, an effort to give the youngster some game time. He got some time in the middle alright, but never was tested by the Pakistan forwards.

Such was India's possession and domination in the fourth quarter and they were up to the task of keeping the lead. The Indians also did not concede any late goals - a weakness that haunted them several times in the past as they rounded off a highly satisfactory assignment on the day.

On Sunday, India will face another tough opponent in Japan.

Story first published: Sunday, October 21, 2018, 0:38 [IST]
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