India came back from a goal down to defeat Pakistan 3-2 in the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuntan, Malaysia, on Sunday. Pardeep Mor opened the scoring in the game in the 22nd minute, before Pakistan came back with field goals from Muhammed Rizwan and Muhammed Irfan in the 31st and 39th minute respectively. However, Rupinder Pal Singh and Ramandeep Singh's goals in quick succession towards the end of the third quarter got India the win.
The intensity was high as both teams moved the ball forward swiftly and it was Pakistan who threatened early, forcing an excellent save from Indian keeper PR Sreejesh. Pakistan continued to pour men forward bravely but it was India who came close, though, as Talwinder Singh's shot went narrowly over the bar. The first quarter ended goalless.
Through a scrappy effort, which Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Butt made a mess of, India went into the lead when a shot from Pardeep Mor from the right took a deflection and rolled into the net.
Pakistan finally had something to show for their relentless raids in the Indian circle as Muhammad Rizwan scored through a field goal just seconds after the half-time interval. The Indian defence panicked and Muhammad Irfan found himself in plenty of space in front of Sreejesh and slotted the ball home to put his side in the lead.
Pakistan's defence was solid. Towards the end of the third quarter, India got a penalty corner. Rupinder Pal Singh made no mistake with it. Just a minute later, India took the lead again with a superb field goal, as Talwinder Singh set up Ramandeep Singh, who scored his third goal in as many games.
Imran Butt was brilliant in the final quarter as India came close on a couple of occasions to getting their fourth goal. Roelant Oltmans's side was happy to sit back and defend in the final quarter.
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