Pakistan hold champions India 1-1 in Asia Cup opener

Traditionally a weak area for Indian hockey, the holders conceded a last-minute goal again to be held 1-1 by arch-rivals Pakistan in their hockey Asia Cup opener at the GBK Sports Complex in Jakarta on Monday.

Making his India debut, forward S Karthi sounded the board in the ninth minute off a penalty corner. Despite multiple opportunities wasted by the Birendra Lakra-led Indian team, it looked like the Olympic bronze medallists, despite fielding an inexperienced side, would keep the lead and earn three important points. But Abdul Rana found Pakistan’s equaliser in the 59th minute with a penalty-corner conversion, salvaging a draw in the Pool A clash.

The inexperience of players showed as both three-time champions made errors, could not hold possession for long and wasted a host of chances. With 10 players making their debut, India have sent a second-string to Indonesia, keeping in mind the Commonwealth Games.

Hockey India had planned to send a second string to Birmingham, saving the best players for the Asian Games, a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics. With the Asian Games postponed, the CWG team selection will be done later with the event gaining more prominence. The eight-team Asia Cup is a World Cup qualifier with the teams reaching the Super 4 assured of spots in the tournament scheduled in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela early next year. Since India have already qualified as hosts, they can afford to experiment with the team.

The holders, with former international Sardar Singh as one of their coaches, had better possession (55%) and forced eight penalty corners (twice as many as Pakistan) but they could convert only one. Goalkeeper Akmal Hussain, named Player-of-the-Match, was the hero for Pakistan, thwarting 11 shots on goal by India (same as Pakistan) with reflex saves. Four cards (three green) were shown with India’s Uttam Singh, who played in the junior World Cup in December, was shown a yellow in the 48th minute.

“India could not read our strategies. I am quite satisfied with how we performed and played disciplined hockey with good structure,” Pakistan’s new coach Siegfried Aikman said.

Malaysia thrashed Oman 7-0 and four-time champions South Korea hammered Bangladesh 6-1 in Pool B. Asian Games champions Japan beat hosts Indonesia 9-0 in Pool A. India face Japan on Tuesday.

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