Pak beat India in Champions Trophy

AMSTELVEEN: It was a repeat performance of the last Champions Trophy, as India failed once again in its quest for the bronze medal. India, who went into the match with the psychological advantage of having beaten them 7-4, lost 3-4 in the play-off game.
India led the game three times, but when it mattered Pakistan had its nose ahead and like in the last edition once again it was right winger, Rehan Butt, who scored the match-winner for Pakistan.
The match itself never rose to the same levels as the previous clash. But then there was greater anxiety and Pakistan would certainly have not wanted to lose twice.
There was an amazing rush for tickets, as more and more Indians seemed to be coming to Amstelveen. There were at least 400-500 Indians outside the stadium and hoping to find last minute tickets. In the stands, too, there was a lot of support for both sides.
From India’s viewpoint, the disaster that seemed to be looming in front of them after three defeats in the first four league games of the tournament was reduced with that big win over Pakistan in league. But in the end, Pakistan had the last word, with a win in the medal game.
Though India finished fourth, the same as last year, they won just two games and lost four, as against two wins and one draw and three losses from seven games last year in Cologne.
Pakistan played the match on Sunday with their mind and kept emotions in check. There was anxiety in the way the game began, as both sides played defensively.
But that suited Pakistan, as Indian forwards are more speedier than the Pak defenders. As Pakistan controlled the game, Indian speed was reduced and the attacks did not look as dangerous as they did on Friday.
Pakistan’s midfield, which is controlled well by Waseem Ahmed, did not allow the Indians to find their rhythm. Adding to Indian problems was the absence of Ignace Tirkey and Baljit Saini, both of whom were injured. The difference was felt in that options for substitutions were reduced.
The Indian midfield once again left a lot of gaps, and too many soft penalty corners were conceded. The Indians fumbled a lot, but so did Pakistan. However Pakistan earned as many as nine penalty corners, while our forwards were unable to force any. Penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas scored twice and took his tournament tally to nine. He scored the first and third goals for Pakistan, and in between he assisted the second, as Jawad Kashif pushed home the rebound off Sohail’s drag flick.
Jugraj Singh had a good game and converted the first stroke, but he gave the penalty corner that led to the equaliser. With three seconds to go in first half, Prabhjot deflected in a reverse flick from a fast-running Gagan Ajit Singh. Pakistan caught up again in the second half with an equaliser through Kashif, who scored off a penalty corner rebound.
India took the lead again as Deepak Thakur sent in a high deflection at top speed of a first time reverse hit from Baljit Dhillon, who got the ball from Dhanraj Pillay.
In the first half, both sides played in patches and looked tentative. They were defensive and there were just about two or three attacks from either side, which is not normal for either of them. Neither was there any planned attack. In the morning in the play-off for fifth position, Argentina beat Germany 2-1 to claim the fifth spot.