Ipoh: If it’s India versus Pakistan, it’s ought to be a thriller and same was the case on Tuesday when India came from a goal down to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1 to register their first win in the 22nd edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh.
The young Indian side showed plenty of maturity and composure to win the match which has helped in keeping their hopes alive for a podium finish at the Azlan Shah Cup.
It was Muhammad Waqas who opened the scoring for Pakistan in the fourth minute when he dived to deflect the ball in on a set piece off Pakistan’s first penalty corner. But from there on, Pakistan were dismal in the penalty corner conversion as skipper Muhammad Imran failed to beat Sreejesh on any of the seven more attempts that they earned.
India, on the other hand, got just one penalty corner and young Rupinder Pal Singh made no mistake to find the net in the 5th minute. Akashdeep increased the margin to 2-1 four minutes later, and the scoreline stayed as is at half-time.
Pakistan could have leveled in the 11th minute but Muhammad Irfan Junior made a hash of things with the goal gaping infront of him. Pakistan were awarded penalty corners in the 15th, 25th and 35th minutes, but Imran could not find the target as India led 2-1 at halftime. In the 52nd minute Pakistan were awarded their fifth penalty corner but Imran pulled it just wide of the lef post and India sighed in relief.
Mandeep Singh and Malak Singh kept the Pakistani defenders busy with their constant pressure and that forced the Pakistani defenders into making long passes instead of building up from the back gradually. In the 56th minute India went 3-1 up when Mandeep Singh picked up the rebound from his deflection to send the ball into the roof of the net.
Pakistan were then awarded their sixth penalty corner in the 58th minute, but Sreejesh denied Imran yet again with a diving save. Two more penalty corners to Pakistan in the 64th and 65th minutes were also wasted and as the minutes ticked away, the youngsters of India started slowing the pace. Pakistan were awarded their ninth penalty corner 40 seconds from time but failed to reduce the deficit.
Finally the young Indian side won 3-1.
Courtesy: Official website of Azlan Shah Cup