Champions Trophy | As It Happened: India Thrash Pakistan 4-0
Follow live updates from the Champions Trophy hockey match between India and Pakistan here.
- India beat Pakistan 4-0 in the opening match of the Champions Trophy.
- Ramandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Lalit Upadhyay scored for India.
- India scored their last three goals within the space of six minutes!
Lalit Scores India's 4th Goal
Ramandeep Singh, who from the left flank saw Lalit was near Pakistan’s goal, passed the ball and Lalit just guides the ball into the keeper-less goal.
With the goal, the referee blows the final whistle! Phew, three goals in six minutes for India. This is has been a dream match for the Indian fans.
India win the game 4-0.
Pakistan decided to play a flying keeper instead of a static one and and this strategy has costed them two goals!
Mandeep Singh Scores India's 3rd Goal
Mandeep Singh picks up the ball in the right flank and moves with the ball. He goes through a few defenders to score a goal which didn’t have a keeper!
India lead 3-0 in 56 minutes.
Dilpreet Singh Scores India's 2nd Goal
Simranjeet Singh carries out a long pass from the half-line, which is picked up by Dilpreet Singh in Pakistan’s goal area. He coolly maneuvers the ball to finish perfectly.
SV Sunil and Simranjeet Singh Operate in the Left Wing
SV Sunil and Simranjeet Singh try to penetrate into Pakistan’s goal area but don’t find any success. With 10 minutes left on the clock, Pakistan are looking down at the barrel here.
End of Quarter 3
The Indian defense has been like a rock in this match. They can surely hold on for the final 15 minutes of the match. India lead 1-0 at the end of the third quarter.
Penalty Corner for Pakistan
Pakistan take a shot and the ball deflects off Amit Rohidas’ shoulder. The Indian defense is showing no signs of weakness.
Possession Being Equally Shared
40 minutes into the game and both teams are playing at the same level. No team is able to hold possession of the ball for a long time. They are winning and losing the ball frequently.
India lead 1-0.
Pakistan Denied a Goal
Pakistan find the back of the net, but India ask for a referral straight away. Replays show that a Pakistan player hit Birendra Lakra’s leg before striking the ball. Therefore the goal is denied.
India still lead 1-0 after 33 minutes.
India Lead 1-0 at Half-Time
The Pakistan team have tried to create many chances but the Indian defense has been at its best today. They are giving absolutely nothing away.
As far as the attack is concerned, Ramandeep Singh has helped India go 1-0 ahead.
Ramandeep Scores for India!
Simranjeet Singh feeds the ball into Pakistan’s goal area from the left flank and Ramandeep Singh finds himself in the perfect spot to guide the ball into the goal in the 25th minute. India go 1-0 up!
Coach Harendra Singh called Ramandeep back into the Indian team and he delivers straight away.
Penalty Corner for India
Mandeep Singh wins another penalty corner for India. Harmanpreet Singh tries to score, but strikes the ball straight to a Pakistan’s Muhammad Rizwan. Pakistan get on the counter attack. India manage to defend their goal successfully.
End of Quarter 1
The first quarter ends without a goal being scored. India had a few shots at the goal towards the end of the quarter, but to no avail.
Mandeep Singh Earns a Penalty Corner
Mandeep Singh falls down near Pakistan’s right post and wins a penalty corner. India fail to convert though, It’s still 0-0 after 14 minutes.
Rupinder Pal Singh Wishes India Good Luck
Defender Rupinder Pal Singh, who has been dropped from the Indian side for this tournament, has wished the team good luck.
The Match is Underway
The India-Pakistan match is underway! Five minutes in, the match is even-steven. Pakistan had a shot at the goal, but captain PR Sreejesh has no trouble in keeping the ball out.
India's Starting Line-Up
Here’s a look at India’s starting line-up for the Champions Trophy opener.
India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy Match
Good Evening!
Welcome to the coverage of the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match from Breda, Netherlands. The Indian hockey team would be aiming for a fresh start, putting behind the disappointment of a poor Commonwealth Games campaign, when they begin their pursuit of a maiden Champions Trophy title.
Asian champions India have never won the Champions Trophy in their last 36 editions but will be hoping to claim the feat in the tournament's last edition.
The best India have fared in the tournament was the runners-up finish at the 2016 event in London, losing to Australia in a shoot-out.
The disappointing finish at the CWG triggered a change in the head coach's position with Harendra Singh taking charge from Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, who moved back to his old position as coach of the Indian women's team.
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