India thrash Pakistan 4-0 in Champions Trophy opener

NEW DELHI: India opened their FIH Champions Trophy campaign in style as they beat arch-rivals Pakistan 4-0 in the first match of the tournament at Breda in Netherlands on Saturday.

India scored three goals in the final quarter, after leading 1-0 at the half-time break, to register a comprehensive victory.

Ramandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Lalit Upadhyay scored the goals for India.

Ramandeep put India 1-0 ahead in the 25th minute, guiding the ball into the net from Simranjeet's sideways cross in front of the Pakistan goal-mouth.

India maintained the narrow lead till the third quarter, with Pakistan, coached by former India manager Roelant Oltmans, dominating the possession while searching for the equaliser.

A brilliant field goal by 17-year-old Dilpreet doubled India's lead in the 54th minute. Dilpreet intercepted Simran Singh's pass inside the Pakistan circle, and with his first touch, he dodged goalkeeper Imran Butt before hitting the ball into the net.

Pakistan decided to take off their goalkeeper in the 55th minute to strengthen their attacking line. But it backfired, and Mandeep tapped the ball into an empty net in the 57th minute after dodging his markers to increase India's lead to 3-0.

And in the final minute, Lalit dived in to tap the ball into the net and made it 4-0. Pakistan took a review against the goal but eventually lost it.AGENCIES