Hockey Men's Asian Championships 2021: India beats Pakistan for the Bronze medal

Indian Hockey has been going through a bit of highs and lows in the last ten days. At first few clinical performances. Then a shocking loss against Japan in the semis. Now, another hard-fought win against arch-rival Pakistan in the third-place match in Men's Asian Championships 2021. India has beaten Pakistan by 4-3 goals to clinch the bronze medal in the Asian championships to complete the full circle of a roller-coaster week.

This is the first time when Pakistan has failed to qualify for the finals in the Men's Asian Championships. If India had lost this match, this would have been the first time since 2013 when India would finish without a medal in the tournament.

India started well as they got four penalty corners in a row within the first five minutes of the game. However, they failed to convert any of them into goals.

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The first goal for India came when Harmanpreet Singh converted a beautiful set up by Gurinder. The Indian vice-captain netted his 8th goal of the tournament. Post the first goal, India kept on pushing for goals with relentless attacks by Gurinder, Samsher and Harmanpreet.

However, Pakistan came back into the game out of the blue. Poor defending from the Indians gave a proper opportunity to Afraz who did not miss to equalise for the men in green.

After that, India was forced to defend more rather than attack as the first quarter finished with a scoreline of 1-1.

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In the scored quarter, Indian strikers kept on shuffling positions to confuse the defence. They even managed to win two penalty corners as well. However, they did not result in goals. None of the team could add to their goal tally as the second quarter ended 1-1.

The second half started on a wonderful note for the Pakistani team. Manpreet Singh was booked for a yellow card. Meanwhile, Pakistan converted a penalty corner to take the lead. This time it was Abdul Rana who netted the ball for the Pakistani team.

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However, India finished the third quarter with a late equaliser from Sumit. Sumit tapped the ball in from a wonderful assist by Gursaahibjit. The score was 2-2 at the end of the third quarter.

In the last quarter, India kept on pressing high with the aim for a lead. Dilpreet was the main man this time with all the attacks. As a result of that India earned a penalty corner and this time Varun Kumar scored for the men in blue. India finally converted their penalty corner into a goal.

With a few minutes left in the game, Akashdeep scored for India and secured a two-goal cushion for the team. However, Pakistan kept on trying as they scored their third of the match. Ahmed Nadeem made it 3-4 for the Pakistan team.

Although it was too late for them as the Indians managed to clinch the bronze medal after the final hooter of the game. Manpreet Singh, the Indian skipper was adjudged man of the match.