India beat Pakistan (Pic credit: Hockey India)

India beat Pakistan (Pic credit: Hockey India)

In a contest befitting one of hockey’s biggest rivalries, India raced to a 3-0 lead before Pakistan repeatedly threatened a comeback. Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored twice each, while Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke as India maintained their grip on the contest.

Hardik restores three-goal cushion

Pakistan fought back through Hannan Shahid’s brace and Sufyan Khan’s penalty-corner strike, but India held their nerve during a tense final quarter, including a spell when they were reduced to 10 players. India went into half-time with a 4-2 advantage, but Pakistan had shown they were capable of causing problems. Pakistan won possession after Hardik lost the ball in midfield, and Hannan produced a composed finish to cut India’s lead to 5-3.

India doubled their advantage in the 11th minute. Abhishek showed excellent control to bring down an aerial ball before playing it across goal, with the ball eventually finding the net off a Pakistan stick. The goal was initially credited to Mandeep Singh during the live action, but the FIH website later credited it to Abhishek. Pakistan responded once again. Sufyan Khan converted a penalty corner in the 25th minute, with his drag-flick taking a deflection off Amit Rohidas before ending up in the goal. The second quarter had produced four goals and turned the contest into an increasingly frantic affair. India regained some breathing space early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty stroke after an intentional foul inside the circle. Hardik Singh stepped up and made no mistake, sending the ball into the net to restore India’s three-goal advantage. Pakistan made the perfect start to the final quarter when Hannan Shahid scored his second goal in the 46th minute.