India thrash Pakistan, make South Asian final
India made the hockey final at the South Asian Games after beating Pakistan 5-1 on Wednesday. Drag-flicker V Raghunath got a hat-trick, converting three penalty corners in the 14th, 19th and 57th minute at the Moulana Bhashani Stadium.
Dharamvir Singh started the goal fest early, scoring twice in just the first two minutes. Pakistan reduced the margin through Wasif Siddique.
The rest of the contingent was on target as well, with India pocketing five gold out of the six on offer on the day, besides three silver and one bronze. India now have 34 medals — 20 gold, six silver and eight bronze.
The gold medals came through shooters Imran Hasan Khan (10m air rifle), Kuheli Ganguli (50m rifle prone) and Sonia Rai (25m pistol), besides two team gold in women’s 25m pistol and women’s 50m rifle prone.
Also, the shuttlers ensured five gold and five silver after sweeping the final spots in men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Top seed Chetan Anand and second seed RMV Gurusaidutt will contest the men’s final, while Sayali Gokhale and Trupti Murgunde play the women’s title match.
The Indian handball side, however, lost to Pakistan 34-31, though they still made the semi-finals after finishing second in their group.
The men’s and women’s kabaddi teams also ensured medals by reaching their respective finals. India also made the volleyball and basketball finals. In squash, India beat Sri Lanka to remain on course for the final.