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The highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan at the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 has delivered an exciting start, with India holding a narrow 2-1 lead at the end of the first half. The encounter, held at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir, China, marks the first time the two rivals have met in a significant while and carries major weight as both teams remain undefeated in the tournament.
Pakistan took an early lead in the first quarter thanks to a goal from Nadeem, but India swiftly responded with a penalty corner conversion by Harmanpreet Singh to level the score. Harmanpreet then secured the lead for India in the second quarter with another goal, showcasing the Indian team's offensive strength and resilience.
Both teams have demonstrated their dominance throughout the tournament. India, the defending champions, have secured four consecutive victories, including impressive wins against China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea. This strong performance solidified their spot in the semifinals.
Pakistan, guided by legendary hockey player Tahir Zaman, has also impressed with their disciplined play and solid defensive performances. Despite starting with two draws, they quickly found their rhythm, defeating Japan and China to secure their own place in the semifinals. Captain Ammad Butt has commended his team's improved consistency, particularly in penalty corner defense, and expressed confidence in their ability to challenge India's current dominance.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most iconic in the world of sports, and this match reflects the deep respect and camaraderie shared off the field, despite the intense competition on it. Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh, speaking ahead of the game, highlighted the special bond between players of both nations. He stated, "I have been playing with some of the players in the Pakistan team since my junior days, and we share a special bond. They are like my brothers. On the field, though, we will approach the game like any other opponent and keep our emotions in check."
Ammad Butt echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging India's recent success while maintaining faith in his own team's potential. While India has enjoyed recent success against Pakistan, including a dominant 10-2 win at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year and a 4-0 victory at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, Harmanpreet acknowledges that past results will hold little significance in this crucial match. "Past results will not matter when we take on a team like Pakistan. They are a tough side and have the potential to bounce back at any stage in the game," he said.
The remainder of the game promises to be a thrilling spectacle, as both teams seek to maintain their undefeated streaks and secure their place in the semifinals. The high stakes and the rich history of the rivalry ensure that fans will be treated to an exhilarating battle between these two hockey powerhouses.
Source: India vs Pakistan Live Score, Asian Champions Trophy: IND lead 2-1 vs PAK