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India beat Pak 4-2 in AAG hockey
Hyderabad, Oct 27: Riding on brace by forward Gagan Ajit Singh, India came from behind to script a thrilling 4-2 victory over arch-rivals in a Pool-B encounter of the hockey championship of the inaugural Afro-Asian Games here today.
Hyderabad, Oct 27: Riding on brace by forward Gagan Ajit Singh, India came from behind to script a thrilling 4-2 victory over arch-rivals in a Pool-B encounter of the hockey championship of the inaugural Afro-Asian Games here today.
With both teams having already qualified for the semifinals, the high-voltage encounter for pool supremacy lived up to the expectations as both teams played attacking hockey.
The Indians, who trailed 1-2 at half time, came back with a vengeance after the break and grabbed the initiative early in the second half through two quick goals by Prabhjot Singh and Gagan Ajit to change the complexion of the game just before the hooter.
India will now play Malaysia while Pakistan take on Asian Games champion South Korea in the semifinals.
Even though the Pakistanis could not add to their first half tally in the second session, there were a number of anxious moments for the Indians who were saved by some very good defending by their defenders and some help from the crossbar.
Gajanfar Ali was the unlucky forward for Pakistan who saw his goal attempts through a penalty stroke and also a penalty corner being thwarted by the crossbar after he had managed to beat the Indian custodian on both occasions.
Earlier in the first half, Pakistan, who needed an outright victory to avoid Korea in the semis, went for the kill from the start attacking relentlessly in the first ten minutes.
But to their dismay the Indians drew first blood when Sandeep Michael helped the weak reverse hit by Ignace Tirkey into the net.
It was a clever play by the Indians who took a quick free hit from outside the box. The reverse hit by Gagan Ajit Singh was stopped by the Pakistani custodian but his clearance could only find Ignace inside the box.
His reverse hit, though weak, was well directed and Michael made no mistake in sending it home.
But the Pakistanis went into the breather with a 2-1 lead thanks to goals by Salim Khaleed and Shakeel Abbasi, who were helped by some sloppy defence by the Indians.
The Indian defence was the culprit on both the occasions as the goal scorers were left unmarked. While Khaleed capitalised on a cross from the right flank, Abbasi got the ball on a platter in front of the Indian goal through a long corner hit.
Bureau Report
Gajanfar Ali was the unlucky forward for Pakistan who saw his goal attempts through a penalty stroke and also a penalty corner being thwarted by the crossbar after he had managed to beat the Indian custodian on both occasions.
Earlier in the first half, Pakistan, who needed an outright victory to avoid Korea in the semis, went for the kill from the start attacking relentlessly in the first ten minutes.
But to their dismay the Indians drew first blood when Sandeep Michael helped the weak reverse hit by Ignace Tirkey into the net.
It was a clever play by the Indians who took a quick free hit from outside the box. The reverse hit by Gagan Ajit Singh was stopped by the Pakistani custodian but his clearance could only find Ignace inside the box.
His reverse hit, though weak, was well directed and Michael made no mistake in sending it home.
But the Pakistanis went into the breather with a 2-1 lead thanks to goals by Salim Khaleed and Shakeel Abbasi, who were helped by some sloppy defence by the Indians.
The Indian defence was the culprit on both the occasions as the goal scorers were left unmarked. While Khaleed capitalised on a cross from the right flank, Abbasi got the ball on a platter in front of the Indian goal through a long corner hit.
Bureau Report