The Indian Men’s Hockey Team delivered a strong offensive performance, defeating Pakistan 7-1 in their FIH Pro League reverse fixture at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London. This commanding win follows an earlier narrow 4-3 victory against Pakistan and comes after a shootout loss to England.
Despite initially falling behind in the first quarter, India responded with seven goals to secure all three points. The victory places India seventh on the points table, ahead of Spain and Pakistan.
First-quarter setback and Indian response
Both teams began the match with high intensity. India earned an early penalty corner within the first 90 seconds, initiated by a quick baseline run from Mandeep Singh. However, Pakistan capitalised on their own opportunity in the 13th minute, with captain Abu Bakar Mahmood converting a drag-flick from a penalty corner to give his team a 1-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
India quickly took control in the second quarter, utilising precise long passes to stretch Pakistan’s defence. Pakistan faced a challenge in the 18th minute when a deflected pass accidentally struck Ahmad Nadeem, forcing him off the field. India capitalised on this momentum, earning a penalty corner a minute later. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh fired a powerful drag-flick, which Sukhjeet Singh expertly deflected into the net in the 20th minute, levelling the score at 1-1. In the 26th minute, Harmanpreet scored directly from another penalty corner, giving India a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.
Dominance in the second half
The ‘Men in Blue’ increased their dominance in the second half. In the 34th minute, India earned consecutive penalty corners, with the second resulting in a penalty stroke. Hardik Singh calmly converted the stroke, extending India’s lead to 3-1. Pakistan attempted to respond with two quick penalty corners, but the Indian defence successfully blocked both attempts.
Following the blocked penalty corner, India launched a rapid counter-attack. The ball found Dilpreet Singh, who combined with Sukhjeet before setting up Jugraj Singh to score in the 35th minute, making it 4-1. India’s offensive pressure continued, with Sukhjeet creating another opening in the 41st minute, passing to Abhishek, who scored on the run to make it 5-1.
Late in the third quarter, India earned four consecutive penalty corners. On the fourth attempt, Raj Kumar Pal reacted quickly to guide the rebound of Harmanpreet’s drag-flick into the goal in the 44th minute, further extending the lead to 6-1. Hardik Singh was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance in the midfield.
Maintaining intensity and looking ahead
India maintained their defensive discipline in the final quarter while continuing to seek further scoring opportunities. In the 54th minute, Dilpreet Singh capped off a well-executed move by scoring India’s seventh goal of the match. Pakistan earned back-to-back penalty corners in the closing minutes, but veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh stood firm, blocking both attempts and securing India’s comprehensive 7-1 victory.
This result provides India with a boost ahead of their final Pro League fixture against England. The team showed improvement in penalty corner conversion and defensive organisation, areas that had been under scrutiny in recent matches. Pakistan’s search for a first win of the season continues after this outcome.
The win against Pakistan has allowed India to climb above Spain in the points table.
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Source: hockeyindia.org
