16 October,2017 10:21 AM IST | Dhaka | Sundeep Misra
Manpreet Singh's India beat arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1 win to go atop Pool 'A'
Despite being the team to beat, India did lack the finishing touch but yet found goals in crucial periods to beat Pakistan 3-1 and top Pool 'A' for an all-win record in the Asia Cup here at Dhaka. The favourites tag sat lightly on the Indian side. Yet domination wasn't fetching the results. After a barren first quarter, India scored through Chinglensana (17th), Ramandeep Singh (44th) and Harpreet Singh (45th). Pakistan's response came off an Indian error in the 49th minute. India now has nine points and with Pakistan are in the Super 4 where it will be a round robin between four teams - India, Pakistan, South Korea and Malaysia. The top two will go to the final while the remaining two play for the bronze.
India's SV Sunil (centre) is surrounded by a host of Pakistan players during the Asia Cup Pool 'A' match at Dhaka yesterday. India won 3-1
Manpreet disappointed
The Indian captain Manpreet Singh was hugely disappointed with the result saying, "We did win but the level of play was disappointing. We did try and maintain a structure, but were not always successful."
The Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne said it's good we got the result in our favour but the team needs to work harder. "We have a couple of days before the Super 4 begins and we need to ensure that such mistakes in trapping and play don't happen again.
Speed was at a premium. Some breaks were so fast that the Indians were playing catch-up with the ball. Pakistan slowed the pace down. Their chances rested on the slender hope of catching a break and making the most of it. But in both the halves, first Suraj Karkera and then Akash Chikte, Indian goalkeepers brought off some wonderful saves.
The first quarter did have its moments but without goals being scored, Pakistan would have felt strengthened. It took a wonderful move from the left flank initiated by Sumit and then Akashdeep who in a flash passed it to into an empty Pakistan striking circle where Chinglensana hammered it in. India, a goal up, would have felt the gates opening slightly. Pakistan's hopes were on finding an equaliser. Two PC's for Pakistan had been wasted. And when Suraj saved Mohammed Atiq's push from close, luck seemed to have deserted Pakistan.
Pak blow away chances
Pakistan blew away their third PC but India found the gap. Harmanpreet's fine pass found Ramandeep. A tap was all it took to make it 2-0. India found the energy and got their second penalty corner which Harmanpreet flicked in for 3-0. But a defensive error from Sardar brought Pakistan back in the game. Trying to clear, his flick went to a Pakistan player who passed to Shan Ali and Chikte in goal was beaten in the 49th minute.
