Hockey Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Defending Champions India beat arch Rivals Pakistan again

In a stunning comeback after a lazy performance in the tournament opener against China, India thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2 in Malaysia.

India-Pakistan fought it out at the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup.

India hockey Coach Brasa’s boys put up a steady performance in the first half leading the game 1-0 with a goal from India hockey Captain Sardara Singh. He helped the rebound into the goal after the goalie made a save off the second penalty corner India had secured. In spite of both sides producing chances, Pakistan was unable to finish well and a lot of that can be accounted to better defensive display from India hockey team

The second half saw Pakistan hockey team putting up resistance with a goal just two minutes into the half. However, it was meant to be India’s day at hockey as they went on an all-out offensive exhibiting brilliant ball control and short passing. India scored three goals within a span of 9 minutes, putting Pakistan to bite the dust. Their comeback goal turned out to be just a consolation

India are the Defending Champions at Azlan Shah. Can they do it again?

For India the other three hockey goals were scored by Mandeep Antil (47th minute), Gurbaj Singh (53rd) and Tushar Khandker (56^th). Whereas, the resistance from Pakistan came from Mohammad Imran (37th) and Kashif Ali (66th).

However, the Man of the hockey Match was midfielder Gurbaj Singh who had scored in the game too. It was his cutting pass that saw the ball in the circle after which when the Pak-keeper blocked the shot of a forward, Gurbaj himself trapped and smashed the ball straight into the net even as he was tumbling on the ground.

India will play Hockey Asian Champions: South Korea next on Sunday the 9^th of May 2010. In other games the Australians kicked off their campaign with a comfortable 4-0 win against the Egyptians. South Korea drew with hosts Malaysia 1-1 in an another hockey match.