Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India registered a thrilling 2-1 victory against nemesis Pakistan in the much-awaited encounter between the Asian heavyweights at the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in Mowi, China on September 14.
It was Captain Harmanpreet Singh’s (13th, 19th ) brace that ensured India ended the league stage unbeaten and at the top of the points table. For Pakistan, Ahmad Nadeem (8th) scored the lone goal.
Both teams lived up to the billing as they kept up the tempo from end to end. Although India made an aggressive start to the match with a couple of circle entries in the opening minutes, it was Pakistan that drew first blood through Ahmad Nadeem in the eighth minute.
Pakistan were cautious in their pursuit as they worked a structured attack. After taking a couple of shots on target, they were successful in their third, with Hannan Shahid making an impressive run through the middle and passing it to Nadeem, who found the back of the net with ease from close range.
India fought back and scored an equalizer in the 13th minute as Captain Harmanpreet Singh made no mistake in converting their 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.
India started the second quarter brightly and were 2-1 ahead in the 19th minute as Harmanpreet converted the second penalty corner of the match, putting Pakistan on the back foot.
India had a better share of possession in the following minutes, but couldn’t create much danger as they kept losing the ball frequently. Pakistan, on the other hand, managed to create a half-chance, but Nadeem’s pass missed Rooman at the goalmouth.
They also earned their first penalty corner at the stroke of the half time, but Sufiyan 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 their circle. A mistimed tackle by Sufiyan Khan on Araijeet Singh Hundal at the top of the circle earned India their 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 their intensity. They earned a series of penalty corners, but Indian goalie Krishan Pathak stood tall to deny Pakistan an equaliser and ended the quarter with a 2-1 lead.
