India and Pakistan will renew their historic hockey rivalry at the Men’s Hockey World Cup on Wednesday, less than two months after their last meeting ended in a crushing 7-1 victory for India.
The group-stage encounter arrives with Pakistan looking to erase the memories of the FIH Pro League clash in London on June 26, when India recovered from an early setback to dominate its arch-rival.
Pakistan had made an encouraging start in that contest. Captain Abu Bakar Mahmood opened the scoring in the 13th minute, converting a Penalty Corner with a drag-flick to give his team the advantage.
India’s response came in the second quarter. Sukhjeet Singh brought the scores level in the 20th minute with a deflection before captain Harmanpreet Singh struck from a drag-flick six minutes later to put India ahead.
Once in front, India took complete control.
Hardik Singh converted a Penalty Stroke early in the third quarter to extend the lead before Jugraj Singh struck just a minute later, finishing a quick counter-attack. Abhishek and Raj Kumar Pal then added their names to the scoresheet as Pakistan struggled to contain India’s attack.
Dilpreet Singh delivered the final blow in the 54th minute, completing a 7-1 victory in which seven different Indian players found the net.
The emphatic result was India’s second win over Pakistan during the London leg of the Pro League. Three days earlier, the teams had been involved in a much closer encounter, with India emerging with a narrow 4-3 victory.
While that first match highlighted how tight contests between the two sides can be, their second meeting demonstrated India’s ability to punish Pakistan once it gained momentum. Despite conceding first, India responded strongly and controlled the match after taking the lead.
Wednesday’s World Cup meeting now offers Pakistan an opportunity to produce a very different result on a bigger stage.
India, meanwhile, will enter the clash with considerable confidence after winning both of the teams’ recent Pro League meetings. But with World Cup group-stage points at stake, the latest chapter of the rivalry brings fresh pressure for both sides.
Pakistan will be seeking redemption after the seven-goal setback in London, while India will aim to turn its recent superiority over its neighbour into another important World Cup victory.
