India notched an emphatic 7-1 win over Pakistan at the Hockey World League semifinal in London on Sunday. It was their best ever victory margin over their arch rivals, having beaten them 7-4 twice in the past .
It was a complete performance by the Indians who dominated their arch-rivals throughout the match to post a facile win and zoom to the top of Pool B ahead of The Netherlands.
Dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh (13th minute, 33rd), Talwinder Singh (21st, 24th), Akashdeep Singh (47th, 59th) and Pradeep Mor (49th) scored for India at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, while Pakistan’s consolation goal came from the stick of Muhammad Umar Bhutta (57th).
India opened the scoring in the 13th minute, with Harmanpreet Singh converting a penalty corner. The second goal came in the 20th when the front line combined superbly to let Talwinder finish with a deft touch. Talwinder made it 3-0 a few minutes later, giving India a comfortable 3-0 lead by the end of the second quarter. The team built on the lead to finish with a staggering scoreline.
Minutes later, Talwinder scored his second goal of the day when he neatly lifted over Amjad a high ball from Satbir and India went into the breather with a comfortable 3-0 cushion. India continued in the same vein after the change of ends and three minutes into the second half Harmanpreet scored from another set piece to extend the lead.
In between Pakistan had their share of chances but they failed to get past an alert Akash Chikte in front of Indian goal. After Chinglensana Singh was brilliantly denied by Pakistan goalkeeper Amjad Ali, Akashdeep scored a brilliant field goal from the top of the circle after fine one-two with Sardar Singh.
Two minutes later, Pradeep Mor drilled home from a tight angle to beat Amjad Ali at the post. Umar Bhutta scored a consolation goal late into the match but Akashdeep restored India’s victory margin with yet another fantastic strike just a minute from the hooter.
With this win, India have won all three of their group games, finishing on the top of the table.
Pakistan, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the pool after losing all three matches they have played so far. India will next play The Netherlands on Tuesday, while Pakistan will face Scotland on Monday.
More to follow...
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