Daily Times

KARACHI: India defeated Pakistan 4-0 in the Super-4 stage match of the 2017 Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament at Dhaka’s Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium on Saturday. Gurjant Singh’s goal in the 57th minute cemented India’s place in the Asia Cup final. Lalit Upadhyay gave India 3-0 lead after scoring a minute after Harmanpreet Singh. The first goal of the match was scored by Satbir Singh. Pakistan will play in the third position match on Sunday (today). The highly-awaited Super-4 face-off between arch-rivals Pakistan and India was delayed by 90 minutes due to heavy rainfall. The game was crucial for Pakistan while India just needed to draw to cement their position in the final. It was the last match of the Super-4 for the two teams. Pakistan finished at the bottom of the Super-4 with just one point while India topped with seven points.

The first quarter was no indication of things to come. Pakistan were certainly the better side making a number of circle entries and they also earned three penalty corners. But the Indian defence did well. Indians had one PC. The second quarter was more evenly played. India had the best chance but Gurjant’s top of circle shot was well saved by Mohammad Amjad in the goal. Both sides had a penalty corner each. Harmanpreet was unlucky as his terrific flick came off cross bar. The second half was all India. With superb fast moves, they completely dumbfounded Pakistan. Raids came from right, left and centre. Had it not been for some outstanding work from the custodian Amjad, the scoreline would have been more lopsided.

First goal was credited to Stabir. After collecting an excellent ball from Upadhyay, his diagonal pass from the right side of the circle intended for Gurjant was deflected into the cage by a diving Pakistan defender.

Other three goals arrived in the last quarter. Amjad’s brilliance had denied India goal off the first five penalty corners. Off their last PC, in the 51st minute, Amjad was finally beaten. A deceptive flick on the right by Harmanpreet wrong footed the Pakistan net minder. Very next minute, it was 3-0. The tally was completed with three minutes left. A lightening move was given the finishing touch by Gurjant whose top of the circle shot sounded the board.

In the pool match, India won 3-1 against Pakistan. The goals were scored by India’s Harmanpreet Singh, Chinglensana Singh and Ramandeep Singh, while Ali Shan scored for Pakistan. Pakistan are three-time Asia Cup champions Pakistan while India have lifted the cup twice. It is interesting to note that Pakistan won all the first three editions of the cup in 1982, ‘85 and ‘89. While India’s victories were achieved in more recent times, in 2003 and 2007. In all of Pakistan’s three Asia Cup wins, India were the runners-up. In 1985 and ‘89, Pakistan defeated their neighbours in the final. The inaugural 1982 competition was played on a single league basis. There also the Green Shirts defeated India in the decisive last match. In total, the traditional rivals have met seven times in the tournament.

Published in Daily Times, October 22^nd 2017.