Pakistan holds India

 

Defending champion India conceded a late goal to allow Pakistan walk away with a 1-1 draw in their opening Pool A match of the Asia Cup men’s hockey tournament here on Monday.

India took the lead in the ninth minute through S. Karthi before Abdul Rana broke the heart of the Indians by equalising in the 59th from a penalty corner.

Pakistan had the first scoring chance in the third minute through a penalty corner, but it failed to stop the ball properly and India survived.

Seconds later, it was India’s turn to secure a penalty corner but Neelam Sanjip Xess’ effort was saved by Pakistan goalie Akmal Hussain.

The Indians continued to put pressure and secured two more penalty corners in the first quarter, the second of which was converted by Karthi, who scored his first international goal after getting a deflection off the stick of defender Muhammad Abdullah.

Other results:Pool A: Japan bt Indonesia 9-0.

Pool B: Malaysia bt Oman 7-0; Korea bt Bangladesh 6-1.