Golden’ victory for Pakistan

In between, the crowd had something else to talk about: a cameo appearance by cricket star Rahul Dravid in the VIP box. Dravid, a keen hockey player in his school days, is also Indian captain Anil Aldrin’s college mate.

On the field, the most striking aspect was the dazzling display by Pakistandebutants — outside right Muhammed Irfan, centre half Mohammed Saqlain. Irfan, with his searing runs down the right had the Indian defence in all sorts of trouble, while Saqlain admirably handled the pressures of play-making in the first session. Another Pakistani forward to catch the eye was inside-left Muhammed Nadeem.

These three youngsters gave a lot of bite to Pakistani attack as Indians struggled to gain the initiative in the mid-field.

The new-look Indian forward line failed to get going — save for the last quarter — and it was apparent from today’s display that the much needed co-ordination will take some time to come. The Indians managed to force only one penalty corner, which was brilliantly converted into a goal by Sameer Dad, compared to Pakistan’s seven.

It was only Gagan Ajit Singh’s two opportunistic goals — once in each half — that kept the Indian fight going on. Gagan lacks Dhanraj Pillay’s flair or Rajeev Mishra’s fluidity, but he showcased his striking prowess by finding theequaliser in both the sessions. Apart from Gagan, the other forwards had an average outing.

The Indians should, however, take heart from the fact that they fought back twice to restore parity. That should stand the youngsters in good stead in the tough nine-match series.

The first session was played at a sedate pace with Pakistan having better control of mid-field. After attacking in a continuous stream, Pakistan drew first blood when Abbas flicked in to the left of Jagdish Ponnappa off their second penalty corner.

The Indians continued to struggle but managed an equaliser against the run of play. Mohammed Riaz moved up through the centre and passed to Rajesh Chauhan on the left. Chauhan’s flick was sent crashing into the cage by Gagan Ajit. However, Pakistan went into the lead again through a penalty corner, when Suhail Abbas left Ponappa rooted with another flick that hit the top bar before rolling in.

The Indian attack seemed to have more purpose in the second half, but Pakistan made most of adefensive lapse to make it 3-1 when Md Irfan crossed from the right for an unmarked Nadeem to shoot home.

It was here that the Indian fightback began. First, it was a classic penalty corner set-piece where Dilip Tirkey, rather than take a hit, passed to Sameer Dad on his left, who shot home in a jiffy. Then came Gagan Ajit’s strike. Chauhan seized the ball on the left, passed to Riaz whose flick found Gagan waiting in the corner.

In extra-time, captain Atif Bashir gave Pakistan the psychological edge after making most of a defensive lapse. Bashir latched on to a pass from Md Irfan inside the circle and had enough time to go on his knees and let loose a smashing reverse hit that gave Ponnappa, and India, no chance.