Asian Champions Trophy: India thrashed Pakistan 4-0 in their final round-robin league game on Wednesday to go to the semifinals unblemished. India’s captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice. After four victories and one draw, India has 13 points to take the lead in the standings.
Pakistan’s first shot at scoring came from a penalty corner, which Indian custodian Krishan Bahadur Pathak expertly turned aside. After three Indian offensive attempts from Karthi Selvam, Jarmanpreet Singh, and Mandeep Singh, Pakistan requested a penalty corner in the ninth minute, but the video referee denied the Men in Green.
India was awarded a penalty corner at the start of the first quarter, which Harmanpreet converted with a strong low flick to the left of Pakistan goalkeeper Akmal to give India the lead. When India gained their second penalty corner in the 23rd minute, Harmanpreet doubled the advantage with a brilliant drag-flick goal through Akmal’s legs for Pakistan.
After the change of ends, India continued to play with the same fervour and earned another penalty corner six minutes into the third period. Jugraj added another goal to double the advantage. Harmanpreet flashed it in when it deflected off a Pakistani stick in the 41st minute, capping up a barrage of attacks for India. The goal was reversed though following a video referral for the hazardous ball.
Selvam easily transferred the ball inside the penalty area to an unmarked Akashdeep, who shot wide with an open goal in front of him to give the Indians another opportunity.
In the 43rd minute, Pakistan was awarded a second penalty corner but blew it. When Akashdeep deflected Mandeep Singh’s shot in the 55th minute, India increased their advantage to 4-0.
India and Japan will square off in the semifinal match, with Malaysia taking on Korea on Friday.
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