London, June 24 — The Indian men’s hockey team began their London leg of the FIH Pro League European tour with a dramatic 4–3 win over Pakistan at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Tuesday.
After a quiet opening quarter, India grew into the game and secured their third outright win of the season, holding off a late Pakistan surge. The result lifted India to seventh place in the standings.
Goals from Abhishek (22’), Nilakanta Sharma (24’), Sukhjeet Singh (40’), and Rajinder Singh (52’) powered India in a high-intensity contest.
Pakistan struck first in the 8th minute when Ahmad Nadeem converted a penalty corner variation to make it 1–0. India responded with sustained pressure but initially struggled to convert chances.
In the closing minute of the first quarter, India earned three consecutive penalty corners, but Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza denied skipper Harmanpreet Singh with a sharp save to maintain their lead.
India equalised in the 22nd minute when Dilpreet Singh’s shot was saved but Abhishek reacted quickest to slot home the rebound. Three minutes later, Nilakanta Sharma capitalised on another rebound from a penalty corner to put India ahead 2–1.
Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza continued to frustrate India, stopping further penalty corner attempts from Jugraj Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, keeping the score at 2–1 at half-time.
Pakistan pressed harder in the third quarter with multiple circle entries, but India’s defence held strong. Amit Rohidas made a crucial interception to stop a dangerous counter-attack before India extended their lead in the 40th minute, as Sukhjeet Singh finished a fine move set up by Abhishek.
The final quarter brought more drama. After India defended successive penalty corners in the 51st minute, they launched a counter-attack that earned them a penalty corner. From the set piece, Rajinder Singh scored with Harmanpreet acting as a decoy to make it 4–1.
Pakistan responded quickly, with captain Abu Mahmood scoring from a penalty corner in the 53rd minute to reduce the deficit to 4–2. India then missed a chance to extend their lead in the 56th minute, keeping the contest alive.
In the final seconds, Pakistan’s Moin Shakeel scored off a rebound from a penalty corner to make it 4–3, but India held on under pressure to seal a hard-fought victory.
