Asia Cup hockey: India beat Pakistan 3-1 in Pool A match

DHAKA: India today defeated arch rival Pakistan 3-1 to top Pool A of the Asia Cup hockey match at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium.

The three goals for India were scored by Chinglensana Singh (17th minute), Ramandeep Singh (43rd minute) and Harmanpreet Singh (45th). For Pakistan, Ali Shan scored the lone goal in the fourth quarter of the match.

After this victory, India now moves into the second round of Super 4s. In Super 4s round, the top teams from both the pool will play in round-robin format before the knockouts.

Pakistan have also advanced to the second round with four points.

India had registered easy wins against Japan (5-1) and hosts Bangladesh (7-0) in previous two matches.

India controlled the proceedings for the better part of the match, barring the final quarter when Pakistan, trailing 0-3, came hard on the Indian defence in search of goals.

But at the end of the day, the Indians came out superior and continued their recent domination over Pakistan, that includes back-to-back victories in the Hockey World League Semi-Final in London earlier this year.

Contrary to the win, Pakistan had the first real scoring chance when they earned their first penalty corner but they wasted it.

The Indians came out hard in the second quarter and took the lead in the 17th minute through Chinglesnsana, who slammed home after receiving a fine pass from Akashdeep Singh, who was operating in the wide right.

Three minutes later, Gurjant Singh's reverse hit from the right flank was just off target.

After wasting another penalty corner, Pakistan were denied by young India goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, who saved Mohammed Attiq's shot from close range as India went into the breather leading by a goal.

India replaced Karkera with Akash Chikte in the goal at the halfway mark and the young custodian came up with a superb save in the 40th minute to deny Pakistan.

(With PTI inputs)