Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
India produced one of their most complete performances of the FIH Pro League season, coming from behind to thrash Pakistan 7-1 and continue their decade-long dominance over their arch-rivals on Friday, June 26. After conceding an early penalty-corner goal, Craig Fulton’s side responded emphatically with goals from Sukhjeet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Abhishek, Rajkumar Pal and Dilpreet Singh to seal a commanding victory.
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The win came less than 24 hours after India’s shootout loss to England and also avenged some of the defensive lapses from their narrow 4-3 victory over Pakistan earlier in the week.
Pakistan struck first in the opening quarter despite India enjoying the better share of possession. After India failed to convert three early penalty corners, Pakistan made their opportunity count as Abu Mahmood unleashed a thunderous drag-flick from a set-piece in the 13th minute that beat goalkeeper Mohith and the line defender to hand the visitors a 1-0 lead.
India continued to dominate territory but lacked the finishing touch before finally finding the equaliser early in the second quarter. Harmanpreet’s penalty corner was cleverly deflected into the net by Sukhjeet, who wrong-footed the Pakistan defence. Moments later, Harmanpreet rediscovered his trademark touch from penalty corners, rifling a drag-flick into the top corner to complete the turnaround after struggling with his conversions in recent matches.
Pakistan’s resistance weakened after defender Ahmad Nadeem was forced off following a painful facial injury, while India grew in confidence with Mandeep Singh orchestrating several dangerous attacks and repeatedly winning penalty corners.
“Unfortunately, the ball hit his eye ball (Nadeem’s injury). We’re taking him to the hospital and he’ll have an X-ray. We already have three injuries in the team, this is the fourth time,” Pakistan coach
Khawaja Muhammad Junaid said during thge half-time break as quoted by ESPN.
SECOND HALF ROUT
The third quarter completely belonged to India. They extended their lead through a penalty stroke before producing one of the finest counter-attacking moves of the match. After successfully defending a Pakistan penalty corner, India broke at pace, moving the ball swiftly across the pitch before Jugraj Singh applied the finishing touch to make it 4-1.
Abhishek then got in on the act with a superb reverse-hit finish after a flowing move initiated by Sukhjeet from midfield. India continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded with another penalty corner late in the quarter. After forcing multiple saves and rebounds, Rajkumar Pal reacted quickest inside the circle to guide the ball home as India scored four goals in a devastating 15-minute spell to take complete control.
The final quarter saw India maintain their intensity despite holding a comfortable lead. Pakistan searched for a way back but found the Indian defence well organised, with their penalty corner routines comfortably dealt with.
India continued to create chances and added a seventh goal in the 54th minute. Mandeep burst down the left flank before picking out Dilpreet Singh, who controlled a bouncing ball brilliantly and finished from close range to cap off an excellent team move.
Pakistan did threaten from a couple of late penalty corners, but India’s defence stood firm to preserve the emphatic scoreline and complete one of their biggest wins over their neighbours in recent years.
The result gives India a much-needed boost ahead of their final Pro League fixture against England on Sunday, June 28, as they go above Spain in the points table withg 17 points. While Pakistan’s search for a first win of the season continues after another disappointing outing.
More importantly for Fulton, his side showed marked improvement in both penalty corner conversion and defensive organisation—two areas that had come under scrutiny in recent matches.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
