S2H TEAM

Dominate they did, but India needed to ride their luck to eke out a 4-3 win over Pakistan and gain some consolation of a bronze medal in the Asian Champions Trophy on Wednesday. Down 1-2 with the third quarter approaching its end, Pakistan’s Abdul Rana struck the near post to let India off the hook.

A goal then would have let India a mountain to climb. Instead of 1-3, it was 2-2 shortly later when Sumit slotted home the equalizer to take it into the final quarter with the game being anybody’s.

Then, in the final quarter India picked up two yellow cards, survived a miscued attempt from close range to equalize in the dying moments but held out to extend their unbeaten run against their arch rivals to 13.

India scored through Harmanpreet Singh (1’, pc), Sumit (45’), Varun Kumar (53’, pc) and Akashdeep (57’). Pakistan replied through (Arfraz, 9’), Abdul Rana (33’, pc rebound) and Nadeem (57’).

The league match ended 3-1 to India, the joint-holders with Pakistan after their 2018 final in Muscat, Oman was washed out. India were beaten 5-3 by Japan while Pakistan went down to South Korea 5-6 in the semi-finals, the reverses ending hopes of either team adding to three titles apiece.

Harmanpreet’s low drag flick that beat Amjad Ali, stepping in for Mazhar Abbas took his tally to eight in the tournament – level with South Korea’s Jang Jonghyu who warmed up for the final against Japan.

But India weren’t to score again for another 44 minutes during which Pakistan scored twice to take the lead and raise visions of an upset win.

India dominated the match stats but will rue the conversion of penalty corners with just two successes from 11 awards. Pakistan scored one from four attempts at the set-piece.

The winners enjoyed the clear edge on circle penetrations (27-20), shots (12-8) and possession (51%) but only enjoyed a degree of comfort when Akashdeep Singh put them ahead 4-2 moments after Hardik was yellow carded three minutes from time.

Pakistan reduced the margin within the minute when Nadeem struck and another yellow to Sumit meant India had just nine on the pitch.

Manpreet Singh’s influence in the midfield counted immensely. The Indian captain afforded a smile as he duly picked up the man-of-the-match award though his eyes failed to conceal disappointment following a semi-final defeat to Japan on Tuesday.