Hockey Men’s Asian Champions Trophy: India beat arch-rival Pakistan 3-1

Dhaka, Dec 17 (FN Agency) India registered 3-1 win over the arch-rivals Pakistan in their third match of the Men’s Asian Champion’s Trophy here on Friday. Akashdeep Singh and Harmanpreet Singh were the goal scorer for India, while Junaid Manzoor scored one goal for Pakistan. India earned a lead in the first quarter as Harmanpreet broke the deadlock, scoring in the 9th minute of the game. The second quarter went goalless as neither of the teams managed to score. India went onto half-time with 1-0 lead against Pakistan. In the 42nd minute of the match Akashdeep doubled India’s lead to 2-1.

Few minutes later, Junaid pulled back by scoring a goal for Pakistan. In the final quarter, back-to-back action was seen on both ends. India and Pakistan both were awarded penalty corners but only the former managed to convert it, with Harmanpreet slotting his second of the game and extending India’s lead to 3-1. In the closing minutes, India got another chance through penalty corner. Hardik Singh was the injector but Pakistan defended it well. Pakistan posed a threat towards the end but Harmanpreet’s second goal had already sealed things for India. India started their campaign with 2-2 draw against South Korea and thrashed the hosts Bangladesh by 9-1 in their second game of the continental tournament. The men in blue will next face Japan on December 19.