India secured the berth in the 10th edition of Men’s Asia Cup hockey final after a comprehensive 4-0 win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their last Super-Four match at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Saturday. This was their second win over Pakistan in the tournament after they crushed the bitter foes 3-0 in the group phase. The win ensured India’s eight Asia Cup final where they would meet South Korea or Malaysia today depending on the result of day’s second match, which was delayed by rain.
India scored three of their four goals in the last quarter to end any hopes Pakistan had for playing in the final.
Pakistan dominated the first quarter by playing pressing hockey and earned three penalty corners but they failed to convert any of those.
India wasted a good chance in the 23rd minute when Pakistan keeper
Amjad Ali blocked a powerful hit by Ramandeep Singh.
India defender Harmanpreet Singh saw his effort from a penalty corner in the 27th minute hit the crossbar.
Satbir Singh finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when he entered into the circle and pushed the ball which deflected off Pakistan keeper before hitting the board.
Harmanpreet doubled the lead in the 51st minute converting a penalty corner while Lalit Upadhyay made it 3-0 minute later.
Gurjant Singh sealed the victory for India in the 56th minute when he unleashed a powerful strike from just inside the circle to find the back of the net.
-With New Age input
