CHENNAI: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored twice as India beat arch-rivals Pakistan comprehensively by a 4-0 margin in their final round-robin league match to cruise into the semi-finals of the Asian Champions Trophy on an unbeaten note on Wednesday.

Harmanpreet (15th, 23rd minutes) converted two penalty corners while Jugraj Singh (36th) netted from another set piece. India’s final goal (55th minute) came in a field attempt from Akashdeep Singh.

The result meant India topped the table with 13 points from four wins and one draw. It was heartbreak for Umar Bhutta-led Pakistan as they crashed out of the tournament on goal difference despite finishing on equal five points with Korea and Japan.

Pakistan just needed a draw or a one-goal defeat to make it to the semi-finals.

India play fourth-placed Japan in the semi-final on Friday while second-placed Malaysia lock horns with Korea who finished third in the round-robin stage.

In a fast opening quarter, Pakistan showed early sparks by getting into the Indian circle on quite a few occasions but the Indian defence held its composure.

Pakistan had the first shy at the goal in the form of penalty corner which was brilliantly saved by Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.

After three Indian attacking attempts from Karthi Selvam, Jarmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, Pakistan appealed for a penalty corner in the ninth minute, but the video referee ruled it against the Men in Green.

Following a brief game of possession, Selvam in the 13th minute came up with a solo attack inside the Pakistan box, only to be denied by goalkeeper Akmal Hussain.

Just at the stroke of first quarter, India earned their penalty corner and Harmanpreet made no mistake by flicking it with a powerful low flick to the left of Akmal to give India lead.

Although the second quarter began with a raid from Pakistan’s Abdul Hannan, India quickly gained control with three quick attacks from Amit Rohidas, Mandeep and Sukhjeet Singh.

In the 21st, Pakistan came close to equalising with Abdul Rehman penetrating into the box but veteran Indian goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh came out rushing to deny the visitors.

India won their second penalty corner in the 23rd minute and Harmanpreet scored with a fierce drag-flick in between Akmal’s legs to double the lead.

The Indians came up with a series of attacks with Shamsher Singh also making his presence felt in one of the four scoring opportunities that followed.

India continued to put pressure on the Pakistan defence with constant attacks and in the process earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 30th minute but Harmanpreet failed on both occasions.

The Indians, however, asked for a video referral from the second opportunity claiming that the ball was heading into the goal and was stopped by a Pakistan player’s foot but the video referee rejected the home team’s appeal.

India led Pakistan 2-0 at half-time. India continued with the same intensity after the change of ends and six minutes into the third quarter, secured another penalty corner. This time, Jugraj found the back of the net to triple the lead.

After a series of attacks again, India found the net in the 41st again, as Harmanpreet flashed it in while it took a deflection off a Pakistani stick.

But the goal was overturned following a video referral for dangerous ball. The Indians had another chance with Selvam passing the ball comfortably inside the box to an unmarked Akashdeep, who pushed the ball wide with an open net in front of him.

Pakistan earned a rare penalty corner, their second, in the 43rd minute but wasted the opportunity. India made the scoreline 4-0 in their favour in the 55th minute when Akashdeep deflected in Mandeep Singh’s strike.

India earned five penalty corners in the match and converted three of them.

India found the net three minutes into the third quarter, thanks to Manpreet Singh and Nilakanta’s work, which was tapped in by Sukhjeet but the goal was disallowed at it went in after hitting Sukhjeet’s hand.

Five from the final hooter, Akashdeep scored India’s fourth goal, courtesy some superb one-on-one play between Mandeep and Nilakanta to set it up for the striker.

Earlier on Wednesday, Malaysia in their last round-robin match edged South Korea 1-0.

After a goalless first quarter, Abu Kamal Azrai scored a field goal in the 22nd to put Malaysia ahead. They kept the lead till the very end.

In another match, Japan defeated China 2-1 to finish fourth in the round-robin stage.

Shota Yamada gave Japan lead in the eighth minute on a penalty corner. After no goal was scored in the next two quarters, the Japanese doubled their lead in the 54th minute again on a penalty corner through Kentaro Fukuda.

Three minutes later, China, who finished last, scored a consolation goal through Suozhu Ao in a penalty corner effort.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2023