Sunil and Manpreet provide masterclass in India’s victory over Pakistan

THERE WERE NO NERVES, no last minute drama or controversy, as India ran out 5-1 winners over Pakistan in the big derby game of the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Pakistan were picked apart by an Indian side that produced its best display when it mattered most in the game against their neighbours.
 
India took charge of the game very early with their first attack of the game. Breaking on a counter SV Sunil sprinted at Pakistan’s defence, before neatly clipping a pass to his left at the top of the circle. Manpreet Singh gathered the pass, and fired a reverse hit into the bottom corner, to leave Pakistan shell-shocked and India with the lead in the 4th minute of the game.
 
Pakistan hit back soon though. Awarded two consecutive PCs in the 7th minute, Md. Irfan, made the second one count, pushing it to the right of India’s goalkeeper Akash to draw his team level.
 
Where heads would’ve fallen at having conceded a soft goal, India charged straight back up and it was the duo from the first goal at the centre of it again, reversing roles for India’s second. Manpreet drilled a shot in from the top of the circle, and Sunil evading his markers, produced a brilliant deflection to direct the ball into the net. The first ten minutes had three goals, and India led again 2-1.
 
In the second quarter, another brilliant drive from Manpreet from the top of the circle and a Danish Mujtaba’s deflection onto the rushing Pakistan defender saw India win their first PC of the game. They worked the PC brilliantly, Harmanpreet Singh drawing the defenders towards him before laying it off for Rupinder Pal Singh to take the shot on goal. Rupinder fired it into the top left corner but Pakistan’s goal keeper Imran Butt palmed it out—a brilliant save to deny India and keep his team in the game. India went into half time leading 2-1.
 
Pakistan came back strongly in the third quarter and a green card to Rupinder Pal Singh meant that with the man advantage, they could do the damage. A subsequent PC saw Manpreet suffer an injury, and had to be helped off the field. The injury though wasn’t serious as Manpreet came back on later in the game. India’s defence held strong, denying Pakistan any clear chances on goal. 
 
With four minutes left in the quarter, India consolidated their lead. A Kothajit cross fell to Nikkin Thimmaiah in the circle on the left. Thimmaih showed great presence of mind to deflect the pass towards an onrushing Sunil behind him who dived in to score his second of the game. India went into the break leading 3-1.
 
The final quarter was a completely one-sided show as India completely dominated and bossed their Pakistan counterparts off the pitch. They had 10 penetrations in the quarter and held 64% of the possession, denying Pakistan any hope of a comeback. India’s constant pressing and clean passing forced Pakistan into making mistakes in midfield and defence. Talwinder Singh scored India’s fourth from an SK Uthappa cross in the 50th minute, before Rupinder added another, converting a PC in the 54th minute to make it 5-1.
 
India had several more chances, as Imran Butt saved a stroke off Rupinder Pal Singh, before Ramandeep Singh’s deflected goal was disallowed with two minutes left in the game. It didn’t affect the result though, a thumping victory for India, a result that takes them to second place in the standings.
 
India next play New Zealand at 13:35 pm IST tomorrow, 13th April, 2016.