Asian Champions Trophy: Rupinder guides India to thrilling win over Pak
Kuantan: India clinched their second Asian Champions Trophy after defeating Pakistan 3-2 in a topsy-turvy final, in Kuantan, on Sunday.
The Indian hockey team were able to give a little Diwali gift to their fans, as they earned a closely-fought 3-2 win over arch-rivals Pakistan, which would make the victory taste all the more sweeter.
Rupiner Pal Singh, who was presented with the Player of the Tournament award after the match, opened the scoring before Affan Yousuf doubled India’s lead, in the second quarter. These two goals came within five minutes of each other and gave India the overwhelming lead, going into the first half.
Rupinder did what he does best – putting away a penalty corner into the top corner of the goal, to score his 11th goal of the tournament.
Just minutes later, midfielder Sardar Singh found Ramandeep inside the Pakistan penalty area with a delightful long cross-field pass. Ramandeep immediately pulled the trigger, but Affan was waiting at point blank range to turn the ball into goal, and double India’s advantage.
However, Pakistan pulled one back before the break, as Aleem Bilal made the most of a rare Pakistan penalty corner, slotting it into the bottom corner of the goal, beyond the reach of India keeper Akash Chikte, who replaced injured captain PR Sreejesh in goal.
The Pakistanis roared right back into the game, after Ali Shaan made the most of a defensive lapse by India to score the equaliser.
The match seemed to be heading towards a tie-breaker, before India forward Nikkin Thimmaiah scored the winner, with just 10 minutes to go.
While Pakistan knocked hard on India’s door in the last few minutes, the latter’s defence held through.
With regards to the overall Asian Champions Trophy tally, India have now managed to draw level with Pakistan, as both the countries have managed to win two titles each, so far. Interestingly, India had to defeat Pakistan in the finals, on both the occasions that they lifted the trophy.
