Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and striker Abhishek scored a brace each as India extended their decade-long unbeaten run over arch-rivals Pakistan with a 5-3 win in a high-voltage FIH Hockey World Cup Pool D match here on Wednesday to advance to the second round.
The defeat ended Pakistan’s campaign in the tournament. Playing their first World Cup in eight years, Pakistan fought back after conceding three goals but India held their nerve to seal a memorable win.
Captain Harmanpreet (5th, 21st) scored twice from penalty corners, while Abhishek (11th, 24th) struck two fine field goals and Hardik Singh (34th) converted a penalty stroke for India. Hannan Shahid (22nd, 46th) scored twice for Pakistan, with Sufyan Khan (24th) adding the other from a penalty corner. The result saw India and England qualify for the second round from Pool D.
With Pakistan needing a win to stay alive after losing to England and drawing against Wales, India started aggressively and dominated the opening quarter. India earned four penalty corners in the first 15 minutes and Harmanpreet converted the second in the fifth minute with a powerful grounded flick to put his side ahead. Abhishek doubled the advantage in the 11th minute, showing superb control to collect Harmanpreet’s aerial pass before his shot took a deflection off a Pakistani stick and found the net.
Harmanpreet had another opportunity from a penalty corner but Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza read his flick well to deny the Indian. India continued to threaten, with debutant Aditya Lalage producing a fine run into the circle, although he could not finish the move. Pakistan finally began to find some rhythm early in the second quarter but India struck again in the 21st minute. Pakistan responded through Shahid in the 22nd minute. Agencies