Doha: Taking revenge of the last year defeat, Pakistan beat arch-rival India 5-4 in a high-scoring final of the second Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Thursday.
It was a neck-and-neck battle between the two sub-continent hockey giants as both the teams scored goals.
It was Pakistan who took the lead when Waqas deflected home from their first penalty corner in the 7th minute after Raghunuath blocked Mohammad Rizwan Sr inside the circle.
Just two minutes later, India’s Sunil equalised through a field effort, his fourth goal in the tournament, two minutes later.
Raghunath rose to the occasion and beautifully converted a penalty corner in the 21st minute to see India go into the breather with a 2-1 lead.
India were leading at the end of the first half but Pakistan came out all guns blazing in the second period and restored parity in the 42nd minute when Rasool scored from a field effort.
Pegged by the goal, Pakistan went all out attacking and their efforts bore fruit when Irfan’s high drag-flick from a penalty corner crashed into the Indian goal past custodian PR Sreejesh to Pakistan a 3-2 lead.
The match witnessed a see-saw battle between the two former world champions as Chandi brought India back into the match in the 55th minute, finding himself at the right place at the right time to restore parity.
But two minutes later in 57th minute showing his great run Waqas restored Pakistan’s lead with his second goal of the match before Rupinder equalised for India.
The joy was shortlived for the Indians as five minutes later Irfan converted another short corner to score.
Thereafter, the Indians pressed hard for the equaliser but it was not be as Pakistan defended.
A controversial moment hit the match in the dying minutes when the Indian team while contesting a long corner walked off the turf to protest against the Korean referee.
However, the drama soon ended as the Indians returned on to the field shortly afterwards.
But Pakistan held on for the remaining couple of moments to clinch the cup.
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