Two quick silver goals in the space as many as minutes in the third quarter rescued struggling India for a 3-2 win over fighting Pakistan in their third match of the 4th Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Rupinder Pal Singh converted India’s only penalty corner that Talwinder Singh successfully and thoughtfully referred for third umpire in the 43 minute to level Pakistan 2-2 and then Ramandeep Singh punched off a perfect feed in the next minute for India to go up again. This goal survived another 16 minutes of play for India’s yet another win over their arch rivals.

Pakistan had their moments early in the first half and the third. Unlike the start, post lemon time
put their rival on mat.

Hardworking Rizwan Sr equalized (1-1) in the 31st minute and eight minutes later Md. Irfan Jr came up with the lead (2-1).

This lead did not survive long, as Rupinder and Ramandeep had other ideas.

After evenly played first quarter, India came with a goal against run of play to change sides with a solitary lead in the crucial third match at Kuantan Municipal Council stadium in the fourth Champions Trophy.

Moments after Tasawar Abbas failed to finish a good overhead feed, India launched a counter from the right flank. It seemed two shots were spoilt by Pak goalie Imran Butt but on the basline rebound Pardeep Mor, who just came into play, tapped the ball in.

Umpire Grime Murry of Australia took moments more than needed to whistle, and it happened with prompting of Indian punch. The freak goal survived half time.

In the first quarter, both teams had equal number of chances to move up. Pak got the first half’s only penalty corner, but wasted. Two shots at goals were made, only to see inform Sreejesh blocking them with great reflexes.

Sreejesh helped India to keep it clean slate in the first half, whereas Indian attacks, mostly emanated from right flank, did not progress further beyond circle top.