Hockey World League Semifinal, Highlights: Ramandeep Singh Brace Helps India Draw With Pakistan
India drew 2-2 with Pakistan in their Hockey World League semifinal game. Ramandeep Singh scored a brace for India. Catch all the highlights of the game.
India drew 2-2 with Pakistan in their Hockey World League semifinal game. India took the lead through Ramandeep Singh but a double strike from Mohammad Imran saw Pakistan go ahead. It took a stunning reverse flick effort from Ramandeep to draw India level in the game. India regain their top spot in Pool A with the point from the match.
Catch all the highlights of the game.
© NDTV
(All Times in IST)
21:05: That's it, there goes the hooter. India climb to top spot with that point. Both teams had their chances but missed chances ended the match on a stalemate.
21:02: Ramandeep, no misses! Fantastic pass from Lakra plays Ramandeep in who makes a fool of the Pakistani defence. Imrab Butt rushes out to cut the angle and Ramandeep's reverse flick goes wide.
21:01: Splendid run from Yuvraj down the line, going past three defenders, swishes the ball across the D but no one at the receiving end.
20:58: Trouble for India, Sreejesh saves. Waqas goes past the defender and squares the ball into Ali Shaan, who flicks it through his legs but Sreejesh, alert as ever.
20:56: Pakistan gallop into the Indian D but good work from the defenders. Clears the ball to Sardar Singh who lays it in to Ramandeep, who should have done better there.
20:52: Tough tackle from Sardar Singh and Tausiq seems to be in trouble here, wincing in pain and now he walks off. That was a strong tackle from the Indian captain.
20:48: Penalty Corner for Pakistan and fluffs it! That was a basic mistake. Here India on the attack, Satbir hits and Imran Butt saves. Yuvraj strikes and Butt saves again! Splendid work from the Pakistani goalie here, denying India a goal.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: India 2-2 Pakistan
20:42: Penalty corner for India and Jasjit fails to trap the ball. That was an elementary mistake, India would rue these miss chances in a very tightly contested game.
20:38: GOAL! Sensational strike from Ramandeep Singh. Gets India back in the game with a delightful reverse flick! Fantastic pass from Devinder as he ran through the Pakistan defence.
20:35: Penalty Corner for Pakistan: This is their chance to go ahead. GOAL! Md. Imran converts from a brilliant drag flick!
20:33: India trying to man the midfield - Dharamvir to Manpreet and he runs into three Pakistanis and is fouled.
20:32: And we're back after the half time. Pakistan gets things underway. The match is poised on a knife-edge and the simmering tension can be felt. Pakistan on the attack, India stands firm and now Akashdeep on the run down the left, lovely run but fails to go past the defence, too little support there.
END OF SECOND QUARTER, Half Time: India 1-1 Pakistan
20:17: Great play on the wings, laid the ball into Satbir who tried to reverse flicks it. India earns a PC, oh no! Satbir follows through and catches Imran and is now shown a yellow card. PC cancelled.
20:14: Penalty Corner for India and fails to convert. This is what Sardar Singh has been harping on - more conversion from PCs.
20:12: Still a few minutes to go into this quarter. Pakistan definitely with the advantage, look sharp in attack and owning the midfield. Sardar Singh is working tirelessly but needs his players to step up alongside him. There again! Fabulous play from the Indian captain, intercepts and then goes on a fantastic run down the left, delivers a zooming cross but the Pakistan defence up to the task.
20:08: GOAL! Penalty Stroke for Pakistan and Imran converts. India conceded the penalty stroke because of a reverse stick stop on the goalline.
20:05: Penalty Corner: First one of the match. India reviews but the decision goes against them. They are continuously arguing with the umpire.
20:03: Indian defence holding on. Now looks for a counter through Ramandeep and now sensational play from Latil as he goes on a mazy run through the Pakistan defence but is finally blocked by Imran.
19:58: Pakistan has started the second quarter with great intent. Attacking India, Sreejeesh under fire but clears easily in the end. India need to hold on here, Pakistan look dangerous.
© AFP
END OF FIRST QUARTER: India lead 1-0 vs Pakistan
19:52: GOAL! Ramandeep strikes from India and what a stunning strike that is! Gurmail with a cross from the left outside the D. The Pakistani goal-keeper was left flat-footed and Ramandeep dives to deflect the ball into the net.
19:50: India trying to counter but loses the ball near the Pakistan D.
19:45: Tight marking from Pakistan here, India getting strangled into their own half, lots of backpasses from the Indians. And OUCH! Md. Rizwan Jr. whacks the knee of Yuvraj Walmiki. He swung his stick but missed the ball entirely. Yuvraj in some pain there. The tempers are flaring here, first signs of trouble in the game as Yuvraj gets treatment.
19:42: Pakistan with their first attack but the balls rolls out of the touchline. Pakistan finally, pressing the Indian defence. Sardar Singh trying to marshall his resources and BANG! Hits the post! Lucky for India that one didn't find it's way in.
19:40: Peeeep....And India bulley off, we are underway at Antwerp. India with the initial possession, hovering around Pakistan's D. Pakistan chasing the ball at the moment.
19:33: The players are lining up. Time for the national anthems. First the Pakistan national anthem and then the Indian anthem. Quite a good crowd gathered in the ground and both teams having equal support.
19:25: India have performed well in this tournament so far beating France and Poland but the captain Sardar Singh has demanded more. "We are improving and we need to do a lot to that. We need to score more and more goals," said the Indian captain
Kicked about watching a hockey encounter at home after so long! Chak De India! #NowWatching #IndVsPak #HockeyWLAntwerp
- Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 26, 2015
19:20: India takes on Pakistan in the HWL - definitely the blockbuster game of the tournament. The Indian team led by Sardar Singh is second in Pool A right now with two wins but Pakistan really need a win under their belt. Head-to-head - Played:161, India won: 52, Pakistan won: 80, Draw: 29
© AFP
The last time the teams faced each other in Champions Trophy semifinals in Bhubaneswar, sparks flew. The on-field celebration gestures from a Pakistani players not only had the crowd riled up, but also drew suspensions. Hence, when the team face each other tonight, the players will be on their edge. (India Face Stern Test vs Traditional Rivals Pakistan)
India have won both their games till now in the tournament and lead the Pool A table with maximum six points. They eeked out a hard-fought victory against France (3-2) and then strolled to a win against a much weaker Poland (3-0). However, in none of the matches have India looked at the top of their game. No wonder, the captain Sardar Singh has cautioned his teammates before the Pakistan test. (Sardar Singh Demands More Goals)
Pakistan are in a much worse state.
They somehow managed to put a win past Poland (2-1) and then were totally outclassed by the Australians. They were hammered 6-1 by the Aussies. Pakistan would be desperate to win this encounter because apart from bragging rights, this tournament is the last opportunity for Pakistan to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, having lost the Asian Games gold medal to India. (Australia Spike Pakistan's Challenge)
Incidentally, Pakistan have played at every Olympics since their first appearance in 1948, but they failed to feature in the 2014 World Cup.
India though, don't have such worries having already qualified for the Rio games. However, India will not like to lose against Pakistan. They never do, in any sport!