Olympic medallist India edge out Pak 4-3 in thriller to finish on podium
India players celebrate a goal against Pakistan yesterday. Pic/AFP
A misfiring India were made to toil hard before getting the better of arch-rivals Pakistan 4-3 in a pulsating third-fourth place contest to clinch the bronze medal at the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Wednesday.
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After having topped the round-robin stages, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists were far from impressive in their last two games, and the Manpreet Singh-led side had to play out of its skin to outwit Pakistan and finish on the podium.
After being stunned by Japan 3-5 in the semi-final on Tuesday, much was expected from India against Pakistan. They did press hard and created numerous chances, including 11 penalty corners, out of which they made use of just two.
India will thus return with a consolation prize.
The Indian team took the lead in the first minute through vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh before Sumit (45th), Varun Kumar (53rd) and Akashdeep Singh (57th) struck a goal each.
Pakistan’s goals were scored by Afraz (10th), Abdul Rana (33rd) and Ahmed Nadeem (57th). It was India’s second win over Pakistan in the tournament after having beaten them 3-1 earlier.
Super start
India started the match on a bright note, pressing the Pakistani defence from the onset. Unlike against Japan, India came out attacking and secured four penalty corners straightaway, the last of which was converted by Harmanpreet with a low flick in the first minute. The Indians kept up the pressure with numerous raids inside the Pakistan circle but failed to create a clear-cut chance.
Pakistan grew in confidence as time passed by and drew level in the 10th minute courtesy some sloppy defending by the Indians, and Afraz did enough to get past onrushing goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
It was a fighting contest in the second quarter as Pakistan defended in numbers to deny their neighbours.
At the stroke of the half-time hooter, India secured their eighth penalty corner but, as has been the case, the finishing was not up to the mark. Three minutes after the change of ends, it was Pakistan who surged ahead when Abdul Rana scored from a rebound from the team’s second penalty corner.
Pulsating finish
Three seconds from the third quarter, Gursahibjit Singh created a chance and Sumit found himself at the perfect position inside the Pakistan circle to tap the ball in and draw level. With the scores tied at 2-2, the fourth and final quarter produced end-to-end hockey from both the teams. India had the better share of chances but Pakistan too didn’t give up without a fight. India secured two more penalty corners and this time, Varun was on target to make it 3-2 in his side’s favour. Three minutes from the final hooter, Akashdeep scored, but Pakistan responded in no time when Nadeem deflected in a long ball to reduce the margin.
Korea beat Japan on penalties for title
Dhaka: South Korea clinched the Asian Champions Trophy title after beating Japan 4-2 in shootout following a 3-3 stalemate at the end of the regulation 60 minutes of the final here on Wednesday. South Korea ended the first quarter with a 1-0 lead then Japan led 1-2 at the end of the second quarter. In the third quarter, Japan adopted a defensive style and did not allow South Korea to score, but at the same time, scored one to make it 1-3. South Korea played aggressively in the last quarter and tied the match 3-3. The match was decided on a penalty shootout, with South Korea controlling their nerves and winning the match 4-2 to win the trophy for the first time.
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