Asia Cup Hockey: India thrashes Pakistan 3-1, tops Pool A

Team India once again proved its mettle in the Asia Cup tournament by thrashing Pakistan in the third match of Pool A and registering their third consecutive victory. 

However, Pakistan progressed to the 'Super 4s' stage with four points on the basis of a better goal difference.

The scorers for India were Chinglensana Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Harmanpreet Singh.

In the first quarter, both teams couldn’t break the deadlock. Despite numerous attacks, India weren’t able to break Pakistan's defence. India conceded the first penalty corner of the match in the last minute of the quarter, however, Pakistan couldn't make the most of it.

In the 17th minute, Chinglensana scored a field goal and opened India's account. He picked up Akashdeep Singh's pass from left flank and hit a shot that pounded directly into the goal. Pakistan earned their second penalty corner but Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera’s save denied them the equalizer. India headed into the half-time 1-0 ahead.

Pakistan tried to play ferociously into India's box after being down to nine-men in the third quarter but new goalkeeper Akash Chikte’s saves ensured that India did not give away their lead. In the 43rd minute, Ramandeep leaped close to the goalline, and scored past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. Harmanpreet added a third for India, just two minutes later, when he managed to convert a penalty corner.

In the last quarter, Pakistan upped the ante with Ali Shan striking in the 48th minute. That goal seemed to spur them on, and then won a few penalty corners, but all to no avail. However, Pakistan could not make the pressure count and India, again, emerged victorious over them in this tournament.