Breda (Netherlands), Jun 23 (UNI) Indian Men's Hockey Team got off to a rollicking start here on Saturday at the Rabobank Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018 with a spectacular 4-0 victory against arch rivals Pakistan.
It was strikers Ramandeep Singh (26'), Dilpreet Singh (54'), Mandeep Singh (57') and Lalit Upadhyay (60') who scored in India's dominant win.
There could not have been a better start than the India vs Pakistan encounter setting the tone of the prestigious tournament that began here on Saturday at the packed BH & BC Hockey Stadium. The two teams lived up to the billing, pushing each other hooter-to-hooter offering hockey buffs a thrilling experience.
It was Roelant Oltmans’ Coached Pakistani outfit who were on the attack mode right from the start. India’s Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was put to task in the initial minutes of the match when Muhammad Irfan Junior took a strong shot on goal but the Indian skipper was up to the challenge making an impressive save. For Pakistan, it was the experienced Muhammad Irfan holding their defence. They used pace in the midfield to hold sway, and did not allow India easy circle entry.
In the 26th minute, Ramandeep made up for this missed opportunity when he won India a much-needed 1-0 lead when he picked up a brilliant assist from Simranjeet Singh. The goal was set-up by Sardar Singh’s brilliant pass that pierced through the midfield to find Lalit Upadhyay at the top of the circle who eventually passed it to Simranjeet. Ramandeep positioned in front of the Pakistani goalkeeper kept it low to deflect it past Butt into the goal.
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