Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey: India Demolish Pakistan, Stay in Hunt For Medal

India's sporting domination against Pakistan continued on the hockey pitch after Sardar Singh's men whipped their traditional rivals 5-1 in a round-robin league match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Malaysia. (Highlights)

In recent weeks, India thrashed Pakistan in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup. On Tuesday in Ipoh, it was another demolition of Pakistan as India scored three goals in 12 minutes to clinch a commanding victory.

The win took India to the No. 2 spot behind Australia in the league table. With nine points from four matches, India now have a chance to finish among the medals while Pakistan will almost surely return empty handed after their third defeat in four games.

India won bronze last year.

India rode goals from SV Sunil (10th and 41st), Talwinder Singh (50th) and Rupinderpal Singh (53rd) after Manpreet Singh drew first blood in the fourth minute of the match. Pakistan's only goal came in the 7th minute when Muhammad Irfan cancelled Manpreet's lead with a clinical finish from a penalty corner.

India improve head-to-head vs Pakistan

The 5-1 scoreline only improved India's head-to-head record versus Pakistan in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup history. Since 2009, India have lost just once to their arch-rivals while returned victorious five time. The last time they played in the Azlan Shah Cup, India beat Pakistan 4-2 in 2013.

Tuesday's match was the first after India and Pakistan clashed in the Hockey World League semifinals in Belgium last year. That match ended 2-2 but a loss to Ireland finally denied six-time champions Pakistan a berth in the Rio Olympics later this year. This will be the first time Pakistan will not play the Olympics.

On a humid day in Ipoh, Pakistan failed to lift their game after Irfan levelled in the seventh minute. Veteran Umar Bhutta made some daring runs in the third quarter but India managed to stay out of harm's way. Not that India's defence was rock solid, it was poor finish that undid Pakistan's build-ups.

India capitalized on Pakistan's leaky defence in the final quarter. Both Sunil goals were work of opportunism, going behind the defence and putting stick to ball at the right time. Talwinder's goal was similar while Rupinderpal scored with a rasping push off a short corner.

The scoreline would have been a flattering 7-1 in India's favour but for a missed stroke by Rupinderpal in the 55th and a 58th minute goal by Ramandeep Singh that was disallowed by the umpires.