Harmanpreet and Abhishek did the heavy lifting for India.
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association
It was, at occasions, too straightforward for the Indian males even when they weren’t at their greatest.
India reiterated the gulf at school between it and neighbour Pakistan with a 5-3 win, punching its ticket into the second spherical of the hockey World Cup on the Wagener Stadion right here on Wednesday. India completed second in Pool D with six factors, behind England (9 factors).
The India-Pakistan encounter was a high-stakes recreation on paper with expats from the South Asian nations including vibrant color and environment to the setting. There was no added spice with each groups persevering with their custom of pre-match high-fives however the temper prolonged to the sport with objectives unfold round.
Pakistan was content material taking part in on the counter with India having to plot methods to interrupt down its defence. There have been loads of lengthy balls however Pakistan was variety sufficient to afford house contained in the circle, which the Harmanpreet Singh-led crew capitalised on.
India’s effectivity from penalty corners has been one in all its excessive factors this marketing campaign, and Harmanpreet underscored the attribute with two objectives from set-pieces.
A robust drag-push to the proper nook opened India’s account within the fourth minute. In open play, Abhishek Nain threatened from the left along with his shut management and dribbling, scoring twice after his pictures discovered variety deflections into the online.
India was cruising aside from the second quarter when a drop in depth and misplaced passes resulted in Pakistan’s revival. Suraj Karkera’s sluggish reflexes after his preliminary save allowed Shahid Hannan to push residence the rebound.
Either side exchanged blows from PCs. Harmanpreet netted his fifth purpose of the event earlier than Sufyan Khan scored from a deflection off the primary rusher.
India prolonged its benefit within the third quarter after Hardik Singh transformed a penalty stroke, however the midfielder’s low-cost giveaway put Hannan by on purpose for Pakistan’s third.
Pakistan tried to push arduous within the closing minutes when it earned a PC however failed with its execution, giving India respiratory house.
Whereas Craig Fulton males’s have ticked off the primary goal, issues will solely get more durable from right here on. However does this Indian crew have extra to supply?
The outcome: Pakistan 3 (Hannan 21, 45, Sufyan 24-pc) misplaced to India 5 (Harmanpreet 4-pc, 20-pc, Abhishek 10, 23, Hardik 34-ps).
Revealed – August 19, 2026 11:21 pm IST
