Defending champion India were tested by Pakistan in the league stage clash but Harmanpreet Singh’s two goals ensured a 2-1 win to reach the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 semi-final unbeaten. India erred in the first quarter and conceded a goal but Harmanpreet scored off penalty corners to help them continue dominance in the tournament.
In the first quarter, Ahmad Nadeem opened the scoring. On the counter-attack, Hannan Shahid passed to Nadeem who was unmarked and near the goal post. He deflected the ball past Krishan Bahadur Pathak. Five minutes later Ajaz got the green card. Harmanpreet took the advantage of 10-man Pakistan and scored a goal off penalty corner as goalkeeper Abdullah Khan Ishtiaq remained unmoved.
After the equaliser, Harmanpreet got India the lead in the 19th minute. Once again, India earned a penalty corner. This time he pierced two players to find the back of the net. In the 21st minute, Arajieet Hundal and Abu Mahmood were involved in a collision. Mahmood had to be stretchered out of the field after twisting his right leg.
In the third quarter, the goalkeepers were kept busy. Pathak stood like a rock, carrying forward PR Sreejesh's legacy. In the 41st minute, Sufyan Khan tripped Nilkanta Sharma and got a yellow card. Pakistan earned a penalty corner but without their drag flicker Sufyan, they botched up the opportunity to equalise.
In the last quarter, tempers were high. Ashraf Rana's harsh tackle injured Jugraj Singh. Rana got a yellow card and had to sit out for the remainder of the game. India maintained their domination. In the 58th minute, Manpreet Singh erred and got the yellow card. But Pakistan could not take advantage after the odds were even. India beat Pakistan 2-1 to storm into semis without losing a single match.
India’s run in Asian Champions Trophy so far
India are at the top of the table with five consecutive wins. Earlier, India opened their account with a 3-0 win over hosts China. Against Japan, they recorded a comphrehensive 5-1 win. They decimated Malaysia and registered a record-breaking 8-1 win. In their fourth game, they beat Korea 3-1.
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