India registered a famous 4-0 victory over Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 to knock them out of the semifinal race on Wednesday evening at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.
Harmanpreet Singh (15', 23') scored a brace while Jugraj Singh (36') and Akashdeep Singh (55') further extended the lead.
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After Malaysia beat South Korea by 1-0 earlier in the day, Pakistan had to ensure that they either won or drew against India to finish in the top four.
Even if they lost the margin should not have been more than two goals to go through. However, things did not go their way and will now play for the fifth place against China.
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Nonetheless, Pakistan started on a bright note and dominated proceedings in the opening minutes. India had a circle entry in the third minute but in response, they launched a brilliant counterattack and Abdul Hannan found the back of the net.
However, India reviewed the goal and Pakistan was instead awarded a penalty corner which was kept out by India goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
India gradually started to see more of the ball as the first quarter drew close. Just seconds away from the hooter, India earned their first penalty corner. Hardik Singh injected right in the middle of the circle and India skipper Harmanpreet Singh made no mistake to convert it.
Pakistan began the second quarter with intent but soon lost the plot as Indian midfielders showed immense quality on the ball. The Men in Blue kept building pressure on Pakistan's defence and reaped rewards as they got their second penalty corner in the 23rd minute.
Harmanpreet once again came out on top as he hit the ball hard which took a deflection and rattled against the right post to double India's lead.
It was one-way traffic in the third quarter and India won their fifth penalty corner in the 36th minute. Hardik once again set it up perfectly and this time it was Jugraj Singh who found the back of the net with impeccable precision.
With five minutes remaining on the clock in the third quarter, Harmanpreet once again scored but it was cancelled following a video referral as his attempt was deemed dangerous.
In the final quarter, India continued to dictate terms and got their fourth goal in the 55th minute with Akashdeep Singh on target.
Mandeep Singh was the primary architect as he danced past Pakistan's defence and set up his striking partner who did enough to guide the ball past the Pakistan goalkeeper to complete a stunning victory.
What next for the Indian hockey team?
India will now face Japan in the semifinals on August 11.
How to watch the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy in India?
All the matches of the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy will be telecast live on Star Sports Network and can be streamed live on Fancode.