Azlan Shah Hockey: India Thrash Pakistan 5-1, Stay in Hunt for Bronze Medal
India kept themselves in the hunt for a medal when they thrashed Pakistan 5-1 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Relive all the moments of the match here.
India came out positively in the clash against Pakistan and Manpreet Singh put India ahead. However, Pakistan's captain Irfan Muhammad got the team back on level terms but SV Sunil's two strikes put the game beyond Pakistan. Talwinder Singh and Rupinderpal Singh extended India's advantage and they thrashed Pakistan 5-1 to stay in hunt for a medal. Relive all the moments of the match here.
17:07 hrs IST: India thrash Pakistan 5-1. A famous win for Sardar Singh's team. India move up to No. 2 in the standings. This has been India's best win of the Azlan Shah Cup so far.
17:06 hrs IST: A goal by Ramandeep Singh has been disallowed. Small respite for a hapless Pakistan. Two minutes to go and India lead 5-1
17:01 hrs IST: Manpreet tripped in the Pakistan Dee and India win a stroke in the 55th minute. Rupinderpal misses with a feeble push straight into the Pakistan goalie. Nevertheless, this match is surely in India's pocket. Pakistan play aimless hockey and India in total control. Four minutes left on the clock
16:58 hrs IST: SV Sunil wins a penalty corner for India in the 53rd minute and Rupinderpal Singh scores with a rasping push that hit the roof of the net. India lead 5-1 and Pakistan look shattered
16:55 hrs IST: India solid in the attacking third. Pakistan looking listless. Eight minutes left on the clock. India's opportunism in the Pakistan Dee has been excellent
16:52 hrs IST: India make it 4-1, courtesy Talwinder Singh's 50th minute goal. Poor defending by Pakistan is hurting them
16:50 hrs IST: Sardar Singh on the offensive. His effort to score his second goal of the tournament has been thwarted by the Pakistan goalie. India hold to their 3-1 lead with 12 minutes to go for the final whistle
16:47 hrs IST: Fourth quarter begins. Pakistan have to really work hard to match a tactical India.
16:45 hrs IST: It's the end of the third quarter and India have a two-goal cushion (3-1). Sunil has been India's Man of the Match so far. Manpreet has played well in attack and defence too
16:42 hrs IST: Sunil's opportunism has been a hallmark of this game. This time he went behind the Pakistan defence and slid his stick in time to cap a sizzling Nikim Thimmiah cross across the face of the Pakistan goal.
16:40 hrs IST: India make it 3-1 in the 11th minute of third quarter. It's SV Sunil again. This goal will galvanise India.
16:37 hrs IST: Pakistan waste the opportunity after Manpreet rushed out in time but he has hurt himself and has left the field
16:35 hrs IST: Eight minutes gone in the third quarter and Pakistan win their third penalty corner.
16:32 hrs IST: Pakistan going all out for the equaliser. Umar Bhutta playing the leading rode in the central midfield. India holding on well.
16:27 hrs IST: Third quarter gets underway. India and Pakistan have almost equal territorial supremacy so far.
16:23 hrs IST: In their last Azlan Shah clash, India beat Pakistan 4-2 in 2013 edition. Can India maintain their winning streak? Third quarter minutes away.
16:17 hrs IST: The second quarter is over. India hang on to their 2-1 lead. Pakistan have shown the desperation to level but Indian defence has been rather solid.
16:12 hrs IST: Ramandeep gets a yellow card. India have to play the final five minutes of the second quarter with 10 men
16:08 hrs IST: The game getting a bit scrappy. The Indian defence had a bit of mix-up too but no danger so far. India hold on to their lead 2-1 after seven minutes of second quarter
16:04 hrs IST: India win their first penalty corner in the 3rd minute of second quarter. But veteran goalie Imran Butt makes a brilliant save thwarting Rupinderpal Singh's firm push
16:02 hrs IST: India holding on to the ball. Short passes keep the Pakistan defence busy
15:59 hrs IST: Second quarter gets under way. India on the attack straight away.
15:56 hrs IST: It's India 2 and Pakistan 1 at the end of the first quarter. It's been a thrilling encounter so far. Both teams playing free flowing hockey.
15:52 hrs IST: India take the lead again in the 10th minute. SV Sunil gets the faintest of deflections after Manpreet Singh drilled in a sizzling shot into the Dee (2-1)
15:48 hrs IST: Brilliant shot from the Pakistan skipper. Pakistan equalize in the 7th minute. Muhammad Irfan scores from his team's second penalty corner. Solid push beat Indian goalie Akash Anil on his right. It's 1-1 and the game is really hotting up.
15:43 hrs IST: This was the first attack by the Indians. Manpreet, playing his second match of the tournament, converted a nice assist from SV Sunil. Lovely finish at the far post. It was the 61st goal of the tournament.
15:41 hrs IST: It's the fourth minute and Manpreet Singh scores. 1-0 for India. Stunning reverse hit from the left.
15:37 hrs IST: Since 2009, India have a 4-1 win-loss record against Pakistan.
15:34 hrs IST: India wearing their traditional blue shirts; Pakistan wear green shirts and white shorts. Time for the national anthems. Pakistan first.
15:32 hrs IST: All set for India versus Pakistan in Sultan Azlan Shah hockey. It's 33 degrees at Ipoh and humidity is 66 per cent. In an earlier match today, Australia beat New Zealand 1-0
15:30 hrs IST: India put up a lacklustre show against Japan and Canada. Will they put on an improved showing today?
15:14 hrs IST: A warm welcome to the clash between India and Pakistan from Ipoh. This is a crucial clash in the Sultan Azlan Shah cup and a win for either team makes them favorites for the Bronze medal.
The last time India played Pakistan was in the Hockey World League semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium last year. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. India progressed to the semifinals of the World League while Pakistan suffered a shock defeat to Ireland. The loss shattered Pakistan's hope of qualifying for the Rio Games.
Pakistan will look to regain some pride at Azlan Shah. A win against India can erase many a heartbreaking events. But Pakistan have just one win (vs Canada) and two defeats (vs New Zealand and Australia) and lie sixth in the standings.
India have been scrappy. After starting with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Japan, India suffered a massive 5-1 defeat against Australia. India regained some momentum by beating Canada 3-1.
India's defence will be tested on Tuesday. Pakistan's Arslan Muhammad Qadir is the tournament's highest scorer with four goals, three of them coming from the field. India have conceded seven goals and scored six so far.
Harmanpreet Singh has scored two goals, both from penalty corners, but India's ability to translate mid-field supremacy to goals will help against Pakistan. India won a bronze medal last year at Azlan Shah. The Asian Games champions had fielded a junior side but this year, it's virtually the first XI that is preparing for the Rio Games.