In the Asian Champions Cup Men’s Hockey Championship held here on Wednesday, India won the bronze medal by defeating rival Pakistan 4-3 in a fierce fourth-place match.
After winning the round-robin stage, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist was far from impressive in the past two games, and the team led by Manpret Singh had to do everything possible to defeat Pakistan and get on the podium.
After being defeated by Japan 3-5 in the semifinals on Tuesday, people have high hopes for India’s match against Pakistan. They did work hard and created many opportunities, including 11 free throw corners, of which they only used two.
India became the defending champion along with Pakistan in the last tournament in Muscat, and therefore will receive a consolation prize.
The Indian team took the lead in the first minute through deputy captain Harmanpreet Singh, after which Sumit (45th), Varun Kumar (53rd) and Akashdeep Singh (57th) scored a goal each.
Pakistan’s goals were scored by Afraz (10th), Abdulana (33rd) and Ahmed Nadim (57th).
This is the second time India has beaten Pakistan in the tournament after beating Pakistan 3-1 in the round robin.
In the summit conflict later on Wednesday, South Korea will face Japan.
India started the game with bright notes and suppressed Pakistan’s defense from the beginning.
Unlike the game against Japan, India attacked and directly won as many as four free throw corners. The last corner was converted by Harman Pratt with a powerful low flick in the first minute.
The Indians conducted multiple raids in Pakistani circles to maintain pressure, but failed to create a clear opportunity.
As time passed, Pakistan’s confidence gradually increased and levelled some of the Indian’s sloppy defenses in the 10th minute, especially Harmanpreet, because he failed to clear a loose ball in the circle, and Afraz made enough efforts Overtaken the rushing goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Patak.
The Indian responded after conceding a goal and quickly won their fifth penalty, but Haman Pratt’s flick was saved by the Pakistani defender.
In the 14th minute, Pakistan won the first penalty and Patak saved.
This was a fighting game in the second quarter because Pakistan defended in numbers to deny their neighbors.
In the 22nd minute, India won a penalty again, but Pakistan goalkeeper Amjad Ali again saved Hamanpruit to make a clearance.
Four minutes later, Amjad Ali was in trouble again when he saved Akashdeep Singh’s counterattack from close range.
India continued their offensive frenzy and quickly won their seventh free throw corner, but the vigilant Amjad Ali made two saves to reject Jarmanpreet Singh.
At the end of halftime, the Indian team got their eighth free throw corner, but as in the past, the shot did not reach the standard.
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