Dominant India thrash Pakistan 7-1 in FIH Pro League

The Indian men’s hockey team produced a dominant display to thrash arch-rivals Pakistan 7-1 in the reverse fixture of the FIH Pro League’s London leg.

After conceding an early goal, India stormed back through strikes from Sukhjeet Singh (20^th), Harmanpreet Singh (26^th), Hardik Singh (34^th), Jugraj Singh (35^th), Abhishek (41^st), Raj Kumar Pal (44^th) and Dilpreet Singh (54^th) to register an emphatic victory at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre here on Friday.

Midfielder Hardik was adjudged the Player of the Match.

The contest began at a frenetic pace, with India earning the first penalty corner inside 90 seconds following a sharp baseline run by Mandeep Singh. Pakistan, however, looked dangerous on the counter and won a penalty corner in the 13^th minute.

After India lost a video referral, Pakistan captain Abu Bakar Mahmood converted the ensuing drag-flick to put his side 1-0 ahead.

India seized control in the second quarter with quick ball movement and accurate long passes that stretched the Pakistan defence.

Pakistan suffered a setback in the 18^th minute when Ahmad Nadeem was struck on the face by a deflected pass from teammate Ali Ghazanfar and had to leave the field.

India capitalised almost immediately. Harmanpreet’s powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner was deftly deflected home by Sukhjeet in the 20^th minute to restore parity.

Six minutes later, the Indian skipper found the top-left corner with another drag-flick from a penalty corner to hand India a 2-1 lead at halftime.

India extended their dominance after the break. Consecutive penalty corners in the 34^th minute led to a penalty stroke, which Hardik calmly converted to make it 3-1.

Pakistan earned two penalty corners in quick succession but the Indian defence stood firm.

Moments later, India launched a swift counter-attack after repelling Pakistan’s second penalty corner. Dilpreet combined brilliantly with Sukhjeet before setting up Jugraj, who finished clinically in the 35^th minute to make it 4-1.

India’s relentless attack continued as Sukhjeet set up Abhishek, who scored on the run in the 41^st minute.

Towards the end of the third quarter, India won four successive penalty corners, with Raj Kumar Pal reacting quickest to tap in the rebound off Harmanpreet’s drag-flick and extend the lead to 6-1.

India remained disciplined at the back in the final quarter while continuing to press forward. Dilpreet completed the rout with the seventh goal in the 54^th minute.

Pakistan earned two late penalty corners, but veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh produced crucial blocks to ensure India’s commanding 7-1 victory.