Harmanpreet and Abhishek did the heavy lifting for India.
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association
It was, at instances, too simple for the Indian males even when they weren’t at their finest.
India reiterated the gulf at school between it and neighbour Pakistan with a 5-3 win, punching its ticket into the second spherical of the hockey World Cup on the Wagener Stadion right here on Wednesday. India completed second in Pool D with six factors, behind England (9 factors).
The India-Pakistan encounter was a high-stakes recreation on paper with expats from the South Asian nations including vibrant color and environment to the setting. There was no added spice with each groups persevering with their custom of pre-match high-fives however the temper prolonged to the sport with targets unfold round.
Pakistan was content material taking part in on the counter with India having to plot methods to interrupt down its defence. There have been loads of lengthy balls however Pakistan was variety sufficient to afford house contained in the circle, which the Harmanpreet Singh-led crew capitalised on.
India’s effectivity from penalty corners has been one in all its excessive factors this marketing campaign, and Harmanpreet underscored the attribute with two targets from set-pieces.
A robust drag-push to the suitable nook opened India’s account within the fourth minute. In open play, Abhishek Nain threatened from the left along with his shut management and dribbling, scoring twice after his photographs discovered variety deflections into the web.
India was cruising apart from the second quarter when a drop in depth and misplaced passes resulted in Pakistan’s revival. Suraj Karkera’s gradual reflexes after his preliminary save allowed Shahid Hannan to push dwelling the rebound.
Either side exchanged blows from PCs. Harmanpreet netted his fifth aim of the event earlier than Sufyan Khan scored from a deflection off the primary rusher.
India prolonged its benefit within the third quarter after Hardik Singh transformed a penalty stroke, however the midfielder’s low cost giveaway put Hannan by means of on aim for Pakistan’s third.
Pakistan tried to push arduous within the remaining minutes when it earned a PC however failed with its execution, giving India respiratory house.
Whereas Craig Fulton males’s have ticked off the primary goal, issues will solely get tougher from right here on. However does this Indian crew have extra to supply?
The outcome: Pakistan 3 (Hannan 21, 45, Sufyan 24-pc) misplaced to India 5 (Harmanpreet 4-pc, 20-pc, Abhishek 10, 23, Hardik 34-ps).
Printed – August 19, 2026 11:21 pm IST
