India thrash Pakistan in classification match

India put up a quality display to thrash arch-rivals Pakistan 6-1 in a fiftheighth classification match of the hockey World League Semi-Final here yesterday.

Ramandeep Singh (eighth and 28th minutes), Talwinder Singh (25th), Mandeep Singh (27th, 59th) and Harmanpreet Singh (36th) found the back of the net for India.

For Pakistan, Ajaz Ahmad pulled one back in the 41st minute.

India will take on Canada for the fifth-sixth position classification tie on Sunday. This was the second time in this tournament that India has outclassed Pakistan by a huge margin.

India had crashed out of the race for the podium after suffering a 2-3 loss to Malaysia in the quarter-finals on Thursday and the second thumping win over Pakistan in less than a week will help to ease some of that pain.

Ramandeep Singh opened the scoring for India to give the side an early lead in the eighth minute, the only goal in the first quarter.

The second quarter was the best period in the game for the Indians. They netted three quick goals in succession with their superb combination and long passes from the flanks putting pressure on the Pakistan defence.

Talwinder Singh scored the second goal for India in the 25th minute. Pardeep Mor sent a hammering drive to the goalmouth with Talwinder making the final touch at the near post.

The third and fourth goals from India came in quick succession with Mandeep Singh scoring in the 27th minute.

Harmanpreet Singh made it 5-0 for India off a low shot from a penalty corner in the 36th minute. Mandeep Singh scored the sixth and final goal for India, putting it straight in the back off the net with a swift run past Pakistan’s defenders in the 59th minute.