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Pakistan beat India to claim bronze medal
India suffered a 3-2 defeat against Pakistan in a tension-filled playoff match for the bronze medal at the Champions Trophy on Sunday.
India's hopes of a podium finish came crashing down after they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Pakistan in a tension-filled playoff match for the bronze medal in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Lahore on Sunday.
The loss also dashed India's hopes matching their best-ever finish in the elite six-nation event which had come in 1982 at Amstelveen, Holland.
Sandeep Singh's two goals did not prove enough for the eight-time Olympic champions as the hosts cruised through, riding on strikes by Sohail Abbas (4th minute), Rehan Butt (28th) and Mudassar Ali Khan (65th).
The engrossing battle saw the home side finding the net twice to bounce back into the match after the Indians stunned the local supporters with a second minute goal.
Pakistan enjoyed ball possession in the first minute but a defensive lapse gave an unexpected penalty corner to the Indians which was converted by Sandeep Singh with a drag flick.
But India's joy was shortlived as Pakistan bounced back just two minutes later with Sohail Abbas adding to his world record tally.
Adrian D'Souza, who was fielded by coach Gerhard Rach after the goalkeeper recovered completely from the hamstring injury he had suffered two days back, had no clue to Abbas' rasping shot that drew parity.
D'Souza, who has had been quite effective in countering Abbas' deadly drag flicks, did not do his usual stuff -- charging out early -- to stop the penalty corner specialist's attempt at the post and that proved costly.
