New Delhi: Sandeep Singh scored twice to help India beat their arch-rival Pakistan 4-1 in the hockey World Cup clash at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium on Sunday.
Pakistan’s Sohail Abbas converted one penalty corner in the 60th minute to bring a sigh of relief which went in vain just after Man of the Match Sandeep scored his second goal.
India dominated the second-half of the match also when Prabhjot Singh scored the third goal as the hosts took 3-0 lead.
In the first-half, Sandeep Singh gave India an upper hand as he converted one penalty corner to a goal to give India 2-0 lead in the 35th minute.
Earlier in the 27th minute, India took a 1-0 lead over arch-rival Pakistan when Shivendra Singh converted one penalty corner.
The World Cup clash between India and Pakistan got underway with the hosts missing their first choice goalkeeper Adrian D'souza, who has been replaced by PR Sreejesh.
The two nations, which ruled world hockey for years, are now shadows of their past, but they still evoke a lot of tension, excitement and suspense both on the field as well as in the overflowing galleries.
The recent track record of the two teams gives Pakistan a definite edge, their staggering 6-3 victory in the Champions Challenge semi-final in Salta, Argentina, staring India in the face. The Indians know that Sunday is a different day and it is going to be a different ball game altogether playing at home.
Goals scored For India - Shivendra Singh, Sandeep Singh (2) and Prabhjot Singh
