AMSTELVEEN, AUG 19 (PTI): India extended its decade-long dominance over Pakistan in men’s hockey with a thrilling 5-3 victory in their FIH World Cup Pool D clash at Amstelveen, advancing to the second round while ending Pakistan’s campaign. In front of a packed 10,000-capacity Wagener Stadium, skipper Harmanpreet Singh and striker Abhishek scored a brace each, while Hardik Singh added another to secure a memorable win in what was the first World Cup meeting between the two sides in 16 years.
India began the match with intent, earning four penalty corners in the opening quarter. Harmanpreet converted the second in the fifth minute with a powerful grounded flick to give his side the lead. Abhishek doubled the advantage in the 11th minute, showing superb control to collect Harmanpreet’s aerial pass before his shot deflected off a Pakistani stick into the net. Harmanpreet struck again in the 21st minute, capitalising on a rebound after Rajinder Singh’s attempt was saved, making it 3-0. Pakistan responded quickly through Hannan Shahid in the 22nd minute, but Abhishek restored India’s cushion two minutes later with another fine effort, dribbling into the circle and finding the net via a deflection. Pakistan earned their first penalty corner soon after, and Sufyan Khan converted to reduce the margin to 2-4 at halftime.
India continued to press in the third quarter, and Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 34th minute after Aditya Lalage was obstructed inside the circle, extending the lead to 5-2. Pakistan, however, refused to give up, and Shahid struck again in the 46th minute after India lost possession in midfield, narrowing the scoreline to 3-5. India had chances to put the game beyond reach, but Sukhjeet Singh missed a one-on-one opportunity, while Abhishek and Dilpreet Singh also failed to capitalise on promising openings. Pakistan earned another penalty corner in the closing stages, but their variation failed to trouble the Indian defence.
India were reduced to 10 players twice, first when Sukhjeet Singh received a green card before halftime and later when debutant Lalage was shown a yellow card in the 56th minute. Despite these setbacks, the defence held firm to secure the win. The result saw India and England qualify for the second round from Pool D, though India will carry no points forward after their opening-round loss to England.
This fiercely contested encounter was significant not only for its intensity but also for its historical context. The last time India and Pakistan met at the World Cup was in 2010 in New Delhi, where India won 4-1. Their previous clash at Wagener Stadium dates back to 1973, when India edged Pakistan 1-0 in the semifinal before losing the final to hosts Netherlands. For Pakistan, playing their first World Cup in eight years, the defeat ended their campaign after earlier losing to England and drawing against Wales. For India, the victory reinforced their dominance over their arch-rivals and kept their hopes alive in the tournament, even as they prepare for tougher challenges ahead.
