Dhaka: India outplayed Pakistan 3-1 to set up a title showdown with hosts Bangladesh in the under-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament here Thursday.
Forward Shivam Anand (seventh minute), striker Dilpreet Singh (32nd) and captain Nilam Sanjeev Xess (46th) scored for India to make it 3-0 before Amjad Ali Khan pulled one back for Pakistan in the 63rd minute.
Both teams had scored a high number of goals in the group stages so an attacking encounter was expected. Both sides showcased their traditional counter-attacking game but India’s attack was more accurate, as was its timing.
India’s link-up play between the midfield and attack proved to be the difference in their strong start to the match. India drew first blood when Shivam scored a field goal after beating a couple of opposition defenders with brilliant stickwork.
Pakistan made some desperate attempts to find an equaliser, but it was a penalty corner conversion by Dilpreet which saw them go 0-2 down.
The second half had a similar start to the first, India on the ascendancy, controlling possession and applying the pressure. India earned a penalty stroke but failed to convert. However, Xess made the issue safe for India converting the fourth penalty corner his team had earned.
At this point, India relaxed a bit, and it allowed Pakistan the chance to get a consolation goal. But then the Indians were not bothered and held on to the two-goal lead to emerge easy winners.
Indian midfielder Kunwardilraj Singh was adjudged man of the match.
Indo-Asian News Service
