India outwits Pakistan 3-1 in the inconsequential tie

K. Arumugam in Johor Bahru

Despite a second half sluggishness, India rode on a to fluent 3-1 victory over Pakistan in the inconsequential last pool match of the Genting 4-Nation Cup on Friday.

The tune for the Indian win was set as quick as 30 seconds from the start. A right flank attack marshaled by Mandeep Antil led the ball inside the circle, a bout of exchanges later Pramod Kumar put the ball past Imran Butt.

A minute later ever-agile Danish Mujtaba – he was hero of the first session – snatched the ball from a loath defender and made a beautiful reverse shot from the top of the circle. Goalie Imaran Butt saved the sure shot but not before conceding the team’s first penalty corner. Diwakrar’s flick posed no danger for the Pakistanis defence.

Diwakar was on target in his second attempt, sending the ball right at the middle of the net for India’s second goal in the 13th minute. Barring a solitary penalty corner, Pakistan was seen struggling to the agile Indian legs.

Now Danish, the architect of the previous goal, scored for one for himself. He outwitted at least three defenders inside the circle areas to cobweb a reverse shot that bemused the Pakistan bench. The third goal, the manner in which it was fructified amply proved the Pakistanis here are not in their elements.

To mirror the field dominance India got a couple of penalty corners but rusher Irfan Muhammad spoilt the Indian party. Another penalty corner was well anticipated and palmed away by Imran Butt.

At the fag end of the first session, Pakistan got their act together, despite a couple of misdirected shots, they got reward in the form of a penalty corner given by neutral umpire Yuji Hosokawa. Hitherto idling Indian goalie Mrinal Chaubey easily blocked the path of the ball with a timely jump at the right.

Pakistan’s 6 foot two inches tall Attique Md. negotiated both the Pakistan penalty corners hitherto.

But the Gojra born defender’s prowess could not be delayed for long. In the 51st minute, he sent the ball home off the team’s third penalty corner.

Pakistan applied enormous pressure in the second half, especially in the last quarter in vain. Indian defence was stretched while Pak forwards harried their efforts. Toufeeq Md, missed a sitter of a situation, misdirecting an easy shot when the goals was at his mercy. This is just an instance, such misses are galore in that spell much to the chagrin of the losing side.

In an another match, Singapore trained by a Malaysian coach Chau Chow narrowly lost to their traditional rival Malaysia by an odd goal in three. Despite a heroism by Malaysia’s Saari Faizal, the hosts could not score the way they would have liked to.