Sandeep sets up India win

Penalty corner specialist Sandeep Singh scored a double as Pakistan came up short for the fourth successive time this year against arch-rivals India, going down 2-3 in the hockey competition at the 16th Asian Games here yesterday.

Playing before a vociferous crowd at the Aoti Sports Centre, the Indians overcame some anxious moments especially towards the end to pocket full points in this group B match.

India is now at the top of Group B with three wins from as many matches following earlier wins against Hong Kong and Bangladesh to enter the semi-finals. Pakistan's road to the semi-finals has become more difficult now and they will have to defeat Bangladesh today.

"This was a high tempo game, and we missed a few sitters. We tried to get more penalty corners, but India got only three chances and they converted all of them. Their goalkeeper read [Shakeel] Abbas' drag flick, but we are still in contention for the gold medal," Pakistan manager Khwaja Mohammad Junaid told Gulf News.

"Winning or losing happens in all games, and now we are looking to Sunday's game against Bangladesh. We will beat them and get to the semi-final," said Shakeel Abbasi.

Right start

This was also India's fourth straight victory against Pakistan this year. Last time these two teams played was last month's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi which India won 7-4. Earlier this year, India won 3-1 in the Azlan Shah Hockey in Malaysia and 3-1 in the World Cup.

India started well with Sandeep Singh opening the score in the very second minute off the first penalty corner of the match. However, Indians' joy was short-lived as experienced Rehan Butt caught the Indian defence napping and managed to squeeze in a light push between the legs of Indian goalkeeper Bharat Kumar Chetri in the fourth minute.

Both teams went looking for the lead and it was the Indians making merry on a defensive lapse from Pakistan as hard-working Shivendra Singh prodded forward to an unmarked Dharamvir Singh to place by an advancing Salman Akbar in the 16th minute. The Indian goal survived a scare with one minute left for half-time, fortunately Chetri showed quick reflexes to save off Mohammad Zubair.

With India showing erratic form here, Pakistan managed to secure an equaliser for the second time in the match once again due to a misunderstanding in the defence. Shakeel Abbasi, who was lurking in the area, drove home to bring the two teams level once again 2-2.

However, India had the satisfaction of walking away with full points when Sandeep Singh pushed in his second penalty corner of the match in the 48th minute. Pakistan had a golden opportunity to bring things back on level terms, but Chetri brought off a fine save in the only penalty corner Pakistan got.