Pakistan’s men’s hockey side beat India 2-1 at the pair’s round robin match at the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati today.
Pakistan’s offence was strong, and conversely, a poor defence from the Indian side saw Pakistan take an early lead with a goal from Muhammad Arslan Qadir in the 11th minute of play.
The men in green led India 1-0 at the end of the first half, with India awarded a penalty corner towards the end of that half. The blues were unable to convert the penalty corner, however, and the scores stood at 1-0 to Pakistan at the end of the first 35 minutes of play.
The Indians took possession of the ball straightaway in the second half, and looked to shift the balance of power – but they were unable to do so, with Pakistan scoring a second goal in quick succession two minutes into a play. The second strike also came off the stick of Muhammad Arslan Qadir, with a straight pass through the centre of India’s defenders from the striker, who calmly slotted the ball into the goal.
India managed to take possession and penetrate Pakistan’s circle on a number of occasions, but each of these circle penetrations went in vain. With 25 minutes of play to go, India were awarded the second penalty corner of the night, and were yet again unable to build on that. The ball rebounded, with the squad trying again to score – at this point still trailing 0-2.
Indian captain Mandeep was the only goal-scorer for India, narrowing India’s deficit in the 53rd minute.
With under 10 minutes left in play, India’s strikers still attempted to push to draw with Pakistan, but all their efforts went in vain, with full-time called as India lost 1-2.
India did well at other events in the day, winning more medals in archery, swimming, weightlifting and badminton today as they extended their lead with a total of 72 medals at the event so far.
