Finance
The Indian men’s hockey team won the inaugural Men’s Hockey5s Asia Cup on Saturday, defeating Pakistan 4-4 (2-0 SO) in the decisive final.
India qualified for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024, as this event also served as Asia’s qualification competition.
Mohammed Raheel (19′, 26′), Jugraj Singh (7′), and Maninder Singh (10′) scored in regulation time for India in the final on Saturday.
India won the Shoot-Out thanks to goals from Gurjot Singh and Maninder Singh. Pakistan’s goals came from Abdul Rehman (5′), captain Abdul Rana (13′), Zikriya Hayat (14′), and Arshad Liaqat (19′).
India got off to a strong start, pushing deep into Pakistan’s side instantly. However, Pakistan intercepted the ball and began to attack from the left wing.
Suraj Karkera, the Indian goalie, made crucial saves, but Pakistan came through with Abdul Rehman (5′) scoring the game’s first goal.
They were unable to keep the Indian attackers quiet for long, and Jugraj Singh (7′) supplied India with a much-needed equalizer.
Three minutes later, India seized the lead with a reverse stroke from a distance by Maninder Singh (10′). Pakistan captain Abdul Rana (13′) and Zikriya Hayat (14′) scored two back-to-back late goals, and Pakistan led 3-2 at halftime.
With a goal down, India needed to respond quickly in the second half, and the Mandeep Mor-led team began retaining possession and pressing further into the opposition’s half.
However, Pakistan capitalized on a Challenge when Arshad Liaqat (19′) smashed the ball into the back of the net. Mohammed Raheel (19′) responded immediately to give India a goal back.
India began attacking from all sides, causing Pakistan to make a handful of critical defensive mistakes. Following a long pass, Mohammed Raheel (26′) dribbled past Pakistan’s defense and fired the ball into the nets to tie the game.
As the clock approached full-time, both sides began their hunt for the winner.
The match went to a shoot-out after both teams stayed tied at 4-4 at the end of regulation play. India’s Gurjot Singh and Maninder Singh scored, while Pakistan’s Arshad Liaqat and Muhammad Murtaza missed their strokes, and India won the match 4-4 (2-0 SO).
Source:IANS
