Elsewhere, Indian hockey team thrashes Pakistan 3-1 to enter U-18 Asia Cup final

India will face Bangladesh in the final of the tournament.

Courtesy: Twitter (@TheHockeyIndia)

New Delhi: The traditional India-Pakistan rivalry took place when the two sides locked-horns in the semifinals of the Under-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament.

Amidst the ongoing tussle between the two countries, India secured a convincing 3-1 triumph over arch rivals Pakistan to setup final clash with Bangladesh.

FT! India beat Pakistan on 29 Sep to book a place in the FINAL of the 4th Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2016!#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/5TbbdviQr7

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 29, 2016

The two teams have enjoyed success before in the competition, India having been twice—winners in 2001 and fifth in 2009. Pakistan have also twice been part of the tournament, it in 2009 and finishing with Bronze in 2011. 

In the ongoing tournament, the two teams have had a contrasting set of results. Pakistan have brushed past a relatively inexperienced and easy pool with ease, beating Chinese-Taipei 6-1 in their opener and China 6-0 in the next game. They won their final game against Hong Kong 14-0 to top the group.

India faced a tough challenge against the hosts in the opening game of the tournament and went down 5-4 in what was arguably the most exciting match played yet. Brushing off that loss, they defeated Oman 11-0 to take their first points of the competition.

India took the lead in the seventh minute through Shivam Anand's strike.

It was the Indians who were more clinical in front of the goal, as three minutes from half time they doubled their lead through a penalty corner conversion by Dilpreet Singh (32nd minute).

After the change of ends, India continued to assert their supremacy and controlled the possession.

Soon India earned another penalty corner and from the resultant effort secured a penalty stroke but Waqar, in front of Pakistan goal, saved the try to keep his side in the game.

Within minutes though, Nilam Sanjeep Xess (46th) converted another penalty corner to give India a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Pakistan managed to pull a goal back through Amjad Ali Khan (63rd) but it proved to be too little too late as India held on to emerge 3-1 victorious.

India will meet hosts Bangladesh in the final tomorrow.

Soon after the win, Sports Minister Vijay Goel took to twitter to congratulate the Indian colts for their triumph over Pakistan.

(With PTI inputs)