India edged out Pakistan 4-3 in a pulsating FIH Pro League encounter on Tuesday, extending their decade-long undefeated run against their arch-rivals in international hockey.
The victory over Pakistan lifted India to seventh in the standings and came in the first meeting between the two teams since the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy in China, where Harmanpreet Singh’s team had prevailed 2-1.
Pakistan struck first in the eighth minute when Ahmad Nadeem converted a penalty corner to give his team the lead, before India responded in the 22nd minute as Abhishek pounced on a rebound after Dilpreet Singh’s effort was saved.
India then took control of the contest. Nilakanta Sharma put them ahead in the 24th minute from a penalty corner rebound to make it
2-1, before Sukhjeet Singh extended the advantage in the 40th minute with a clinical field goal after being set up by Abhishek.
Rajinder Singh added a fourth in the final quarter, converting from a penalty corner routine in the 52nd minute, with Harmanpreet playing a decoy in the build-up.
Pakistan mounted a late fightback. Abu Mahmood reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute from a penalty corner and Moin Shakeel struck again in the final seconds to make it 4-3, but India held firm to seal the victory over Pakistan.
The game started cautiously, with both teams trading early circle entries before Pakistan drew first blood. India, however, grew into the match, generating several PCs late in the opening quarter but were denied by goalkeeper Ali Raza.
By half-time, India led 2-1 after dominating the second quarter, while Amit Rohidas stood out with a crucial intervention to stop a dangerous counter-attack led by Nadeem.
Despite Pakistan’s spirited comeback in the final minutes, India’s earlier dominance proved decisive as they bagged a hard-fought three points in a thriller.
(With PTI Inputs)
