Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh continued his impressive form, scoring two penalty corners to lead India to a 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in their final league match of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024.
The match was a tense affair, with both teams playing with intensity and determination. Pakistan took the lead in the 8th minute through Ahmad Nadeem, but Harmanpreet equalized just five minutes later with a powerful drag-flick. He then gave India the lead in the 19th minute with another penalty corner conversion.
Pakistan fought back in the second half, but India’s defense held firm. The Indians also had chances to extend their lead, but they were unable to convert their penalty corners.
The match was marred by a heated encounter between Harmanpreet and Pakistan’s Ashraf Waheed Rana in the third quarter. Rana shouldered Jugraj Singh inside the Indian circle, prompting Harmanpreet and Jarmanpreet Singh to confront him. The on-field umpires and Pakistan captain Ammad Butt intervened to control the situation, and Rana was shown a yellow card.
India’s victory was their fifth consecutive in the six-team round-robin competition. They will now face South Korea in the semifinals on Sunday.
