India defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy on Saturday held in Muscat.
Pakistan started well and even got the first goal but once Manpreet equalised, India were pretty much unstoppable. Pakistan could not keep up with their quick attacks and in the end, they lost by a two-goal margin.
Mandeep Singh’s cheeky goal in the 33rd minute of the game doubled India’s lead in the game. The Indian side started to look more confident as they made repeated attacks in search of a third. Mandeep was creating a problem for Pakistan with his cheeky and threatening runs down the middle but Pakistan did well to hold him off.
Pakistan got a penalty corner in the third quarter but failed to capitalise as the India defence stood tall. Young Dilpreet Singh found his fourth goal of the tournament to not only extend India’s lead but also ensure a win. Captain Manpreet was adjudged as the man of the match. India next play Japan on October 21. Pakistan next play Oman on October 22.
On Friday, Pakistan beat South Korea 3-1 in their first match of the tournament with goals from captain Muhammad Rizwan Senior, Umar Bhutta and Ajaz Ahmed while India defeated host Oman by 11-0.
The last time these arch-rivals faced each other in 2016, India defeated Pakistan by 3-2 to lift the trophy for the second time. Both countries have won the tournament twice with Pakistan winning it in 2012 and 2013 while India emerged as champions in 2011 and 2016.
This match will be the first encounter between both teams since their bronze medal match in Asian Games in Jakarta.
The tournament is being held in Muscat from October 18 and 28 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
The six-nation event was started on Thursday and features Pakistan, India, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and hosts Oman.