New Delhi: India delivered one of their most dominant performances in recent years, overwhelming Pakistan 7-1 in their return leg encounter of the FIH Pro League in London on Friday.
The emphatic victory came just days after India edged Pakistan 4-3 in their earlier meeting and provided a perfect response following their shootout defeat to hosts England after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Pakistan stunned India by opening the scoring in the 13th minute when Abu Mahmood converted a penalty corner with a powerful strike to put his side ahead. However, India’s response was swift and decisive.
The equaliser arrived in the 20th minute when Sukhjeet Singh brilliantly redirected Harmanpreet Singh’s penalty corner flick into the net. India continued to pile pressure on the Pakistani defence and took the lead six minutes later through captain Harmanpreet, who found the top corner with another penalty corner conversion.
India extended their advantage early in the third quarter after earning a penalty stroke, which vice captain Hardik Singh calmly converted to make it 3-1.
Pakistan struggled to cope with India’s relentless attacking play and soon conceded again when Jugraj Singh finished off a rapid counter attack following excellent work by Dilpreet Singh.
Abhishek added a fifth goal with an impressive reverse strike before Rajkumar Pal capitalised on a rebound from a penalty corner to further increase India’s advantage.
Dilpreet Singh completed the scoring in the final quarter with a composed finish after being set up by Mandeep Singh, sealing an emphatic 7-1 triumph.
India dominated possession and created numerous opportunities throughout the contest, earning a large number of penalty corners while restricting Pakistan’s attacking threat. The team will now turn its attention to its final Pro League fixture against England on Sunday.
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