India beat Pakistan 3-2 in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy played at Kuntan just a few moments ago. It was a brilliant performance by team India who led 2-0 but Pakistan fought back well to level the scores and 9 minutes before full time India scored the winning goal.
Indian centre forward started the proceedings of the finals. After up eventful first 6 minutes India earned a penalty corner while entering the D from right side. The penalty corner went just wide to the right of the goal-post. In the 12th minute Pakistan lost an opportunity of scoring a field goal with only goalkeeper to defend as the shot went wide of right of the goal. In the 14th minute India too lost a similar opportunity followed by Pakistan missing to score of an opportunity in the last minute of the first quarter.
Second quarter started by India again saw first 2 minutes, then in 3rd minute India earned a penalty corner off foot-fault while entering from right. Rupinder Pal Singh’s forceful shot entered the right corner of the goal like a bullet defeating the Pakistan goalkeepers extended arm at an height of about 5 feet getting India lead of 1-0. Another field effort reverse flick of Talvinder Singh went well over goal post in 6th minute. In 7th minute indian forward Affan Yusuf converted a pass from 25 yard line in the middle to the right side of the D to lead 2-0. Pakistan earned their first penalty corner 9th minute Aleem Bilal Scored the goal with excellent shot to the right corner narrowing the lead to 2-1min 13th minute By half time India had 53% of ball possession and had scored one of the 2 penalty corners. Pakistan had converted the loner PC into a goal. India’s Rupinder Pal Singh scored his 11th goal and lead the second highest goal scorer by 5 goals. In the first half both teams earned one green card penalty each.
The third quarter started on a slow note without no exciting moments for the first 7 minute. In the 3rd minute Pakistan’s Ali Shan scored the equalizer. Very next minute India scored their third goal which was not allowed on a video referral as the ball hit from out of D was not reflected by any player within the D circle in the goal post. Third quarter started both teams played cautiously
In the fourth quarter 5th minute saw India failing to score a field goal. But the disappointment did not last long as Nikkin Thimmayya scored the third goal from field pass by Ramandeep very next minute. Pakistan earned a penalty corner off a foot- fault in the D in 8th but they were not able to score as the shoot was not put to full halt it slipped and went back. In the 12th minute, Pakistan lost an opportunity of scoring a goal as the hit from right corner went out without anybody deflecting it into goal. India registered the win to claim Asian Champions Trophy for 2016.
