Dhaka: Unbeaten Indian Men’s Hockey Team registered a thrilling 3-1 victory against nemesis Pakistan in the much-awaited encounter at the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy on Friday.
Harmanpreet Singh (9′, 53′) and veteran striker Akashdeep Singh (42′) ensured India remained in contention for a third consecutive Hero Asian Champions Trophy championship, having won the prestigious tournament in 2016 and been joint winners in 2018. Junaid Manzoor scored the lone goal for Pakistan in the 45th minute.
Earlier in the match, both teams lived up to the billing as they kept up the tempo from hooter to hooter. While it was India who drew the first blood through a penalty corner perfectly converted by Vice Captain Harmanpreet Singh to gain 1-0 lead in the 9th minute of the match, Pakistan denied any big opportunity for India in the following minutes to keep the scoreline in check.
Following a scoreless second quarter, the game became more exciting in the third and fourth quarters, with both sides boosting their game. Despite making some possible circular entrances, India was unable to complete the objective by converting the possibilities. In the 42nd minute, though, teenager Shilanand Lakra broke the deadlock with a great tackle that allowed him to reach the attacking circle from the left wing. He worked with Sumit to help Akashdeep Singh, who was poised in front of the goal, divert the ball into the post, giving India their second goal of the game.
Soon after, Pakistan scored in the 45th minute when they beat India’s defence which had done well so far to restrict them to just three shots on goal. It was Junaid who successfully put the ball past India’s goalie Krishan Pathak to narrow the deficit to 1-2.
The fourth quarter remained heated, with both sides trying to score by raising the tempo. In the 53rd minute, Lalit Upadhyay made a solid offensive to win India a PC. Akashdeep provided a beautiful injection, which Sumit halted on spot as Harmanpreet took a powerful drag flick to score India’s second PC of the match. While India built a commanding 3-1 lead, Pakistan generated two PCs in the dying minutes of the game, but Suraj Karkera, India’s teenage goalkeeper, came up with superb footwork on both occasions to make fine saves.
On 19 December, Friday, India will take on Japan at 1500hrs IST.
