Asian Games: India beat Pakistan in hockey

Riding on double strikes from Sandeep Singh, India beat Pakistan 3-2 in the Asian Games men’s field hockey competition here on Saturday and booked a place in the semi-final with nine points from three wins in Group B.

The win was India’s fourth major victory against arch-rival in 2010.
Pakistan still has a good chance to qualifying for the semis with a last group match against lowly-ranked Bangladesh.
Pakistan came from behind twice through field goals from its star forwards Rehan Butt (4th minute) and Shakeel Abbasi (43rd minute) to level 2-2 before Sandeep Singh struck in 48th minute.
India maintained their lead in the last 22 minutes and even got a chance to score the fourth in the dying stages but Sandeep Singh missed a short corner.
Dharamvir Singh’s field goal in the 16th minute gave India a 2-1 lead at halftime. Pakistan got a chance to level via a 58th minute penalty corner but India’s goalkeeper Bharat Kumar neatly deflected away the hard push of Sohail Abbas.
Pakistan had recalled world record holder Abbas for the Asian Games, hoping the star penalty corner striker could help regain the gold 20 years after its last Asiad triumph at Beijing in 1990.
The winner of Guangzhou games tournament will automatically qualify for the London Olympics in 2012.
India have defeated Pakistan 4-1 in the World Cup, 7-4 at Commonwealth Games and also recorded 4-2 win at Azlan Shah tournament.