India 5 Pakistan 1 on Match 3 at Johr Bahru

Indian colts dished out a delightful hockey on Tuesday at Johor Bahru. The good thing here is they haven’t returned to form not a bit late. After missing out two matches earlier, they were supposed to come up with trumps today, and they did exactly the same. India for once outplayed a rival, and it happens to their traditional rival is an additional bonus.

There was no inkling of what was in store in the first half. Both teams were almost on even keel in the first 35 minutes, the scoreboard too toed the same, 1-1.

Yes, of course Indian’s lack of perfection in the set piece drills came out glaringly in the first session. Out of the four penalty corners they were able to generate, one was fructified, which is a poor reflection of training, yes surely. On the other hand, the Koreans showed us here three out of four is not a dream, as of now it’s a distant dream for the Indians.

India today made Satbir Singh as its captain. Perhaps it somehow sent a message the forwardline should deliver. But it was the midfield that mastered the game today.

It happened the designed way. Its Indian midfield that came on its own in the late second half completely flummoxed the Pakistan defence. With no shortage in supply ball upfront, it took the steam out of Pakistan defence.

After Harpreet Singh – lone player in the team who had figured in at least one senior tournament, Asian Champions Trophy – made up the early goal of Pakistan in his second penalty corner attempt. It nullified the second minute stunner of Aleem off their first penalty corner.

The teams parted for lemon fairly knowing well the match is not going to be a drawn affair. The best of both were yet to come, that everybody knows for sure. The stands were full anticipating the same.

When it came it was thankfully in favour of India. India’s second goal – a neat deflection of a cross from right by M. Gunasekar – came after 15 minutes of intense hockey that failed to move the scoreboard. Pakistan had a couple of chances, but Indian goalie Harmanpreet Singh and Amit Rohidas in particular, would not yield. But Pakistan was still in the match notwithstanding Gunasekar’s brilliance.

The turning point of course was spate of suspensions. India got two temporary suspensions in the 45th and 48th minute, and were with two players down, that was the time M. Gunasekar turned the adversity into favour. But for that goal, India would have withered to yield.

Ten minutes later a beautiful goal was scored, which took the game away from their neighbours. It was a counter attack, built brick by brick in the right flank in symphony with midfield. Its Ranjit Singh who stole the ball from their own circle, took it to midfield, parted to Devinder Walmiki, and got it back, sped into the circle where Malak after a neat dodge of two Pakistan defenders, hit hard from forehand, the ball landed safely into the cage. Its is now goal number three. Pakistan was stunned, but they had a few surges, but were mostly individualistic. Now the left flank worked, almost six Indians were in the circle, chasing the ball, and the Australian umpire had no answer than to signal the dreaded spot. Amit Rohidss, a cool customer even otherwise, went ahead and negotiated the stroke, flicking it to the right corner. goal No. 4 now.

The stand next to the press box showed enough movements. Six minutes still remained, a lot might happen in hockey, but the Pakistanis supported started vacating their seats. Most of them were not there to witness another gem from Indian stable. The credit for the goal goes to Ramandeep Singh, who made sure today too that he enters the scoreboard every day. On day three, he scored his fourth goal of the tournament – a solo one-to-one in the circle, a reverse shot from right side of the circle. The ball whistled past the goalie with a lightening speed.

So, with four goals in the second half, India notched up a great victory. Its India’s first victory, and Pakistan’s third defeat in trot.