Hyderabad, October 27
A scintillating display of Asian hockey gave the packed Gachibowli hockey stadium its money’s worth as India triumphed over Pakistan 4-2 to top pool B with an all-win record in the first Afro-Asian Games here tonight.

In a repeat of the Asia Cup final at Kuala Lumpur where India beat Pakistan by the same margin, the hosts went all out to grab full points and set up a semifinal clash with Malaysia who finished second in pool A with four points. The semifinals will thus be an all-Asia affair with Korea, Malaysia, India and Pakistan set to battle it out for a place in the final.

An India-Pakistan hockey match is all about passion with a strong show of national sentiment. As soon as the teams entered the ground, full-throated cries in support of the national team ignited the proceedings.

Left back Kanwalpreet Singh, taking the field despite a hamstring injury, stood out in the marvellous victory although Gagan Ajit Singh with two goals turned the tide against the Pakistanis. With both teams tied at 2-2, a lion-hearted effort by the tall Punjab Police full back Kanwalpreet, who raced down from deep inside his own territory and reached the Pakistan D before putting Gagan Ajit in possession, proved to be the turning point. Gagan scored without difficulty but Kanwalpreet collapsed and had to be helped out of the ground.

Playing attacking hockey from the onset, India were in full control with Len Aiyappa switching sides frequently.

The first goal in fact came off Len Aiyappa’s stick. A hit by Gagan saw Prabhjot aiming a shot which was blocked and Ignace Tirkey again hit goalwards. Aiyappa standing close by provided the finishing touches (1-0).

The equaliser for Pakistan came in the 29th minute when Ghazanfar Ali centred for Salim Khalid who turned around to shoot home (1-1).

Three minutes before half time, Pakistan shot into the lead through Shakeel Abassi who found the target off Rehan Butt with no one to check him (2-1). Deepak Thakur put India on even terms four minutes into the second session when he scored in a melee (2-2).

And then came the heroic effort by Kanwalpreet. The spadework done by him was utilised to the hilt by Gagan Ajit whose reverse hit gave Pakistan goalkeeper Mohammed Qasim absolutely no chance (3-2).

India missed an excellent chance when a move by Gagan Ajit saw Sandeep Michael gaving a quick pass to Prabhjot who despite an open goal in front, shot high over the bar.

Three minutes before the end, Gagan Ajit shot home the fourth goal to make it 4-2. India failed to make use of penalty corners as direct hits by skipper Dilip Tirkey were off the mark.