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India demolish Pakistan 7-1 in Hockey World League semis in London

India demolish Pakistan 7-1 in Hockey World League semis in London

As the Indian cricket team folded to a brilliant Pakistani game plan, losing by one of the widest margins in the history of the staunch rivalry and claiming the second most prestigious ODI crown in the process, the Indian hockey team pulled off their biggest win against Pakistan ever with a fierce 7-1 demolishing of their neighbours in the semi-finals of the Hockey World League. The win provided some reprieve to fans who were stricken over the cricket team’s loss, and also put the Indian hockey team in hitting distance of qualification for the finals. The Pakistani team’s loss also came as another chapter of the fall from grace of the once prestigious hockey team, coming off a loss to Canada by 6-0 on Friday.

The Indian team was ruthless on the field, with all seven strikes being field goals, a shift in strategy that can be considered momentous in the annals of India’s hockey history. Rather than get into physical brawls and other distractions that have been a feature of India-Pakistan hockey matches, the team maintained their cool. Unlike their previous matches where they let their guard down after taking the lead, the Indians hardly stopped yesterday, outpacing their Pakistani rivals quickly and holding on firmly to that lead.

India opened their account in the 13th minute through Harmanpreet Singh, after the initial onslaught by the Pakistanis lasted took up the first ten minutes. Cracks in their lineup soon appeared, and the Indians were piling goals in no time. Talwinder struck twice (21′ and 24′) followed again by Harmanpreet, and Akashdeep and Pradeep Mor scored two and one goals respectively. Pakistan had only Muhammad Umar Bhutta (57′) score one goal in reply to avoid the humiliation of a washout at London’s Olympic Park.

India will next play The Netherlands on Tuesday, while Pakistan will face Scotland on Monday.

 

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Aiman

Keenly interested in sports of all sorts, I am a physicist by training and curious about everything.