Ipoh: Defending champions India showed flair and pumped in three second half goals to thump arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here on Friday.
India led 1-0 at half time with Sardar Singh scoring from a rebound off their second penalty corner.
In the second half, Mandeep Antil (47th minute), Gurbaj Singh (53rd) and Tushar Khandker (56th) sounded the board while Pakistan reduced margin through Mohammad Imran (37th) and Kashif Ali (66th).
Putting behind Thursday's lacklustre show against China, India dished out an aggressive display throughout the opening half with attacks from both flanks.
The Indian mid-fielders moved in tandem and with rapid inter-positional play and substitutions had the Pakistan defence on its toe.
Rupinder Pal Singh sent the first ripples when he drove a fierce hit from the left but captain Rajpal Singh failed to connect.
Soon Rajpal set up Shivendra Singh in the circle but the striker could not beat Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Shah.
The Indians mounted attacks after attacks but the goal eluded them. Both Sarwanjit Singh and Mandeep Antil deflected over, while Bharat Chikara and Tushar Khandker also fumbled.
India did not give any room for the Pakistan forwards to progress into their danger zone as Sardar Singh stood tall with support from Dhananjay Mahadik and Arjun Halappa, alongside Gurbaj Singh and Vikas Pillay.
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