MEANWHILE.. INDIA BEAT PAK IN HOCKEY:
Harmanpreet, Talwinder, Akash, Pradeep score in India’s 7-1 win in World Hockey League
London, June 18: A clinical India demolished a hapless Pakistan 7-1 to register their third consecutive victory and seal a place in the quarterfinals of the Hockey World League Semi-Final, here on Sunday.
It was a complete performance by the Indians who dominated their archrivals 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).
The 7-1 win was also India’s biggest over Pakistan, bettering the 7-4 effort against arch-rivals in 2003 Champions Trophy and 2010 Commonwealth Games.
India are atop Pool ‘B’ with three wins from as many games, just ahead of The Netherlands, who are placed second. Pakistan are at the bottom of the pool after losing all three matches they have played. Harmanpreet gave India the lead in the 13th minute, converting a penalty corner with a low grounded flick.
India secured another penalty corner four minutes into the second quarter but Harmanpreet’s flick was saved by Amjad Ali in front of Pakistan goal.
Talwinder doubled India’s lead soon after combining well with Satbir Singh and S. V. Sunil. Minutes later, Talwinder scored his second goal when he neatly lifted over Amjad a high ball from Satbir and India went into the break 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. Then, 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 strike just a minute from the hooter.