indo-asian news service
Antwerp, June 26: Ramandeep Singh turned out to be India’s saviour as he scored a brace to help his side hold Pakistan to a 2-2 draw in a Pool A game of World Hockey League Semifinals here Friday. With the draw, India maintained their top position in the group. They now take on World Champions Australia in their next pool game Sunday.
India had earlier won their first two games against France (3-2) and Poland (3-0). However, they failed to keep the winning momentum going against Pakistan and also in the process, failed to exact revenge for their 3-4 Champions Trophy loss which they suffered when the two teams last clashed in Bhubaneswar.
Ramandeep Singh (13th and 39th) scored for World No. 9 India while his brace was matched by Pakistan captain Muhammad Imran, who converted a penalty stroke and a penalty corner in the 23rd and 37th minutes respectively.
India were the better team at the start with the players combining and co-ordinating well. They got more of the ball possession in the first quarter as Pakistan took time to find their rhythm.
Pakistan got a great chance of going ahead as Shakeel Ammad set up Muhammad Waqas only for the latter to waste it in the fourth minute of the game. However, India got the lead as Gurmail Singh drove the ball inside the Pakistan circle at blistering speed and Ramandeep, lurking in front of the goal, dived forward to deflect the ball in.
In the second quarter, Pakistan regrouped and bounced back strongly and threatened Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh a couple of times. Tempers also frayed as players of the two countries tried to outdo the other.
Pakistan got a penalty corner in the 23rd minute and Imran’s flick was saved on the goalline by Devindar Walmiki with a back stick, leading to the penalty stroke. The seasoned Imran stepped up to and scored with a low powerful drive to Srjeesh’s right.
India responded well and were rewarded with a penalty corner that was wasted by a lethargic strike from Manpreet Singh and both the teams went to the half time locked 1-1.
Continuing their ascendancy in the third quarter as India were reduced to 10 menwith Satbir Singh sitting outside following a yellow card, Pakistan earned another penalty corner in the 37th minute and Imran converted it flicking the ball past the outstretched hands of Sreejesh into the left-hand corner of the net.
Stunned India responded within two minutes, as Devindar got a pass from skipper Sardar Singh and surged into the rival ‘D’ to set it up for Ramandeep, who lifted the ball high into the net for his brace.
