India beat Pakistan 4-3 in FIH Pro League as Green Shirts are relegated

LONDON: India overcame Pakistan 4-3 in a tightly fought FIH Pro League match at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Tuesday, a result that also confirmed Pakistan’s relegation from the tournament.

Pakistan made the brighter start and went ahead in the eighth minute when Ahmad Nadeem converted after his side won a second successive penalty corner. India responded with sustained pressure before the end of the opening quarter and earned five penalty corners, but Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza kept each attempt out to preserve his team’s 1-0 lead heading into the next period.

India continued to push forward in the second quarter and found the equaliser in the 22nd minute through a field goal from Abhishek. A minute later, Nilakanta Sharma added another field goal to put India in front, giving them a 2-1 advantage by halftime.

The pattern remained similar in the third quarter, with India controlling possession and testing Pakistan’s defence. Their pressure produced a third goal in the 40th minute when Sukhjeet Singh beat Ali Raza and finished to extend the lead.

India then moved 4-1 ahead in the final quarter as Rajinder Singh converted a penalty corner in the seventh minute of the period. Pakistan replied almost immediately, with Abu Bakar Mahmood scoring from a penalty corner in the following minute to cut the deficit.

Pakistan pressed for more in the closing stages, while India sought to manage the game through possession and passing. In the final minute, Pakistan won another penalty corner after a foul, and Moin Shakeel converted to make it 4-3, but India held on to secure the win.

Standings impact

The result was India’s third victory in the FIH Pro League and lifted them to seventh place on 13 points, above Spain, who are two points behind with a game in hand.

For Pakistan, the defeat was their 13th in a row in the nine-team competition, leaving them at the bottom of the standings without a point. The loss also sealed Pakistan’s relegation from the FIH Pro League.