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India enjoy an enviable record over their arch-rivals Pakistan in the 3rd Sultan of Johor Cup hockey tournament. The Blueshirts have never lost to Pakistan in this tourney (India pipped them 5-1 in the 2011 edition and drew 0-0 in the 2012 edition), which must provide their hockey fans an extra ‘high’ given the fierce rivalry between the continental neighbours.
On Wednesday, the Manpreeet Singh-captained Indian team maintained their stranglehold over Pakistan, punching many holes in their defence to orchestrate a superb 4-0 win at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Bahru to extend their winning run in the 2013 edition.
Of course, the win did not came on a platter – Pakistan were expected to put up stiff resistance given the fact that they had posted comprehensive wins in their first two games – the Greenshirts humbled Korea in their tournament opener and later swamped debutants England 6-2, but up against India, all their plans came unstuck.
Pakistan did keep India at bay in the first half, although the latter showed a lot of promise upfront.
Pakistan frittered away their first penalty corner taken by Mohammad Tousiq in the 5th minute as Indian custodian Harjot Singh effected a fine save.
India muffed up their first penalty corner in the 15th minute when Amit Rohidas’ flick hit the upright.
Both teams played out a goalless opening half.
India finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Sukhmanjit Singh scored off an indirectly executed short corner after being by fed by Amit Rohidas.
Pumped up after the opening strike, Imran Khan doubled the lead in the 45th minute.
Sukhmanjit Singh engineered a penalty stroke when he was tripped by Tousif. Singh did the needful from the resulting penalty to make it 3-0.
Ramanadeep Singh soon got into the goal-scoring act, rattling the opposition cage with nine minutes remaining for the final hooter.
It may be worth recalling that hosts Malaysia had won the inaugural Sultan of Johor Cup in 2011, pipping Australia 3-2 on golden goal.
Germany won the second Sultan of Johor Cup in 2012, edging out India 3-2. Significantly, the defending champions are not taking part in the 2013 edition.
