Those who follow Indian hockey closely would have predicted an India win in the marquee India vs Pakistan Pool A clash at the 2023 Asian Games, but very few would have foreseen this kind of dominance and margin of victory. India simply annihilated the Pakistani defence and dominated from the word go to leave them with no time to recover, thrashing them 10-2. Pakistan had themselves to blame too to a fair extent, making what former India international Viren Rasquinha called on air "school-boy and naive errors" repeatedly. While Pakistan will have a lot to think about as they take their campaign ahead, India will feel pleased and confident about their gold-medal chances after today's performance. Follow all the highlights from the IND vs PAK Hangzhou Asiad match here. (Medal Tally | Match Report | Schedule | Full Coverage | Sports News)
7:54pm: Full Time - IND 10-2 PAK
Sreejesh with a series of good saves in the end as the hooter goes off and India register a resounding 10-2 win against arch-rivals Pakistan. The margin of victory is unusual for an India vs Pakistan hockey match but not entirely surprising, given the recent results between the two sides. India with a comprehensive all-round performance. Pakistan have a lot to think about, especially with regards to their defensive structure.
7:43pm: 4th Quarter - IND 10-2 PAK (54')
India put 10 goals on the board ! Varun scores another one, this time with a drag-flick. The Pakistani keeper is only able to parry Varun's powerful strike as India go into double-digit goal territory.
7:43pm: 4th Quarter - IND 10-2 PAK (54')
India put 10 goals on the board ! Varun scores another one, this time with a drag-flick. The Pakistani keeper is only able to parry Varun's powerful strike as India go into double-digit goal territory.
7:36pm: 4th Quarter - IND 9-2 PAK (49')
India score their ninth! A proper team goal this time as passes flow unfettered and Lalit finishes calmly with the reverse hit.
7:29pm: 4th Quarter - IND 8-2 PAK (46')
India with their eighth! The Pakistani defence getting really found out here as a long scoop ball is sent to Shamsher Singh, who converts with utmost ease.
7:29pm: 3rd Quarter - IND 7-2 PAK (45')
Pakistan score their second. A penalty corner results in another goal for Pakistan as Abdul Rana sends it in.
7:24pm: 3rd Quarter - IND 7-1 PAK (41')
India score a splendid seventh! Defender Varun Kumar scores a rare goal as he deflects an accurate and visionary Sukhjeet cross into the goal.
7:19pm: 3rd Quarter - IND 6-1 PAK (38')
Pakistan score one finally. Pakistan pull one back from a penalty corner conversion as Sufyan Mohammed's drag flick is too well directed and powerful to save for Pathak, who has replaced Sreejesh in the third quarter.
7:13pm: 3rd Quarter - IND 6-0 PAK (34')
Harmanpreet scores his fourth! India get another penalty corner and two re-awards. India are third time lucky as Harmanpreet drills it into the bottom left.
7:10pm: 3rd Quarter - IND 5-0 PAK (33')
Harmanpreet completes his hat-trick! India earn a penalty corner but they review it, asking for a penalty stroke. The review is upheld and India get what they wanted. India's captain steps up and does the job yet again. He sends the penalty stroke into the top right corner this time, and India are five up.
7:07pm: 3rd Quarter - IND 4-0 PAK (32')
The second half begins and India on the offensive again.
6:56pm: Half-Time - IND 4-0 PAK
India well and truly in the driver's seat at half-time. Pakistan will need to start the second half with a bang to make a match of it.
6:53pm: 2nd Quarter - IND 4-0 PAK (30')
India score their fourth! Gurjant deflects the ball into the goal but the umpires review it for dangerous play. The goal stands upon review.
6:51pm: 2nd Quarter - IND 3-0 PAK (29')
Pakistan skipper Umar Bhutta with the injection and Sreejesh saves the drag flick with an outstretched foot.
6:51pm: 2nd Quarter - IND 3-0 PAK (29')
Pakistan earn a penalty corner as the ball hits Sumit's foot in the D.
6:50pm: 2nd Quarter - IND 3-0 PAK (28')
India still dominating possession as Pakistan are leaving them enough open spaces.
6:47pm: 2nd Quarter - IND 3-0 PAK (25')
Bit of a scrap right now with a bunch of Indian moves not finding the finishing touch and Pakistan getting desperate to score.
6:38pm: 2nd Quarter - IND 3-0 PAK (16')
Harmanpreet scores! Hardik with the injection, and Harmanpreet with a typically menacing drag-flick that goes straight in. India triple their lead.
6:36pm: 2nd Quarter - IND 2-0 PAK (16')
Second quarter underway, and PR Sreejesh has replaced Pathak in goal. India earn a penalty corner early doors, meanwhile.
6:34pm: 1st Quarter - IND 1-0 PAK
The first quarter ends, with India two goals up. India expectedly have the upper hand in the game.
6:29pm: 1st Quarter - IND 2-0 PAK (11')
India double their lead! Harmanpreet takes the penalty stroke and calmly slots it in the bottom right corner. India up by two goals now.
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6:27pm: 1st Quarter - IND 1-0 PAK (11')
India have been awarded a penalty stroke as the goalkeeper brought Sukhjeet down, but Pakistan review it. Review unsuccessful.
6:26pm: 1st Quarter - IND 1-0 PAK (10')
Pakistan earn their first penalty corner. Krishan Pathak saves the drag flick confidently.
6:23pm: 1st Quarter - IND 1-0 PAK (7')
India score! Abhishek runs down the left flank and sends in a sharp pass to Mandeep, who taps it in.
6:19pm: 1st Quarter - IND 0-0 PAK (4')
Early opportunity for India as skipper Harmanpreet sends in a long ball but Lalit Upadhyay fails to latch on.
6:16pm: 1st Quarter - IND 0-0 PAK (2')
The match is underway and India have started to push forward into the Pakistan circle.
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6:14pm: It's Time
The national anthems are done and dusted and it is now time for the marquee clash to begin.
5:55pm: Starting Line-up
Here is India's starting line-up against Pakistan:
