India play out 1-1 draw against Pakistan in Men’s Junior Asia Cup hockey

Salalah (Oman): India played out a thrilling 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Pakistan in their third Pool A game to continue their unbeaten run in the men’s Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament in Salalah here.

Sharda Nand Tiwari (24th minute) gave India the lead in the high-stake match on late Saturday night but it was nullified by Basharat Ali in the 44th minute.

The result means India, with seven points from three matches, stays second in Pool A behind Pakistan (same points) but are ahead on goal difference.

Sharda Nand Tiwari scored a goal for India, while Basharat Ali was the goal-scorer for Pakistan as per olympics.com.

Currently, Pakistan are at the top of the table while India are placed in second position with respect to goal difference. Japan are in third position with six points from three outings after beating Chinese Taipei 10-1 on Saturday.

The Indian men’s junior hockey team, competing in the Salalah Sports Complex, immediately went on the attack while Pakistan tried to defend heavily. India had the majority of the possession, but failed to convert it into goals, resulting in a scoreless first quarter.

India in the second quarter took the lead by converting a penalty corner. Sharad Nand Tiwari drag flicked hit the net and India got a lead of 1-0 on the half-time break.

In the third quarter, Pakistan put their heart and soul into the game and gave tough competition to India’s defence. Though, India got a couple of opportunities as penalty corners but they failed to convert them into a goal. Pakistan’s Basharat Ali equalised the score 1-1 after making a goal from a close distance.

India stepped up its offensive in the last period in an effort to score the game-winning goal. However, the Pakistani displayed a good defence as the game ended on equal scores.

India will face Thailand in their final group clash on Sunday.