India continued its victory in the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy Hockey with a hard-fought 2-1 win over arch-rivals Pakistan in Hulunbuir (China) on Friday. India marked a setback with Pakistan taking an early lead through Nadeem Ahmed in the eighth minute before skipper Harmanpreet Singh pulled the Paris Olympic bronze medallist on level terms in the 13th minute. At the start of the second quarter, Harmanpreet sounded the board again to give India the lead.
Pakistan took the lead through Nadeem (8th minute) before Harmanpreet (13th, 19th) converted two penalty corners to consign Pakistan to their first loss of this tournament. The first quarter marked end-to-end action with both the teams giving their all to gain the bragging rights. The Indians started dominating the early share of exchanges but Pakistan grew in confidence as the match progressed.
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India was at the receiving end for the first time in the tournament when Pakistan drew the first blood. Hannan Shahid from the midfield split the Indian defence and Nadeem found himself at the right place to direct the ball into the Indian goal. India built their attacks and secured their first penalty corner in the 13th minute and skipper Harmanpreet scored with a powerful drag-flick to the left of a Pakistan goalkeeper Munneb.
The Indians continued to press in the second quarter and gained their second penalty corner in the 19th minute and once again Pakistan defence had no answer as Harmanpreet was bang on target as India went up 2-1. India was the better side in terms of possession in the second quarter, Pakistan also had their chances, penetrating the circle on quite a few occasions. Just 45 seconds from half-time Pakistan had an opportunity to draw level through a penalty corner but they wasted the chance as Sufyan Khan’s flick was rejected for a raised ball.
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