India go down to Pak in opening match

Defending champion India started its Asia Cup campaign on a disastrous note, going down 2-3 to Pakistan in a rain-marred Pool B match at the Wisma Belia Kuantan hockey stadium in Kuantan (Malaysia) today. With this win and the draw against China on Saturday, the three-time former champion Pakistan, which had lost to India 1-2 in the Azlan Shah Cup here last month, is assured of a place in Thursday’s semifinals. India, meanwhile, will have to win its last pool match against China on Tuesday to qualify for the last four stage. India opened the scoring after Prabjot Singh converted a rebound from skipper Sandeep Singh’s penalty corner in the 15th minute. But with just two minutes remaining for the breather, Pakistan struck back with Hasneem Khan scoring with a reverse stick from a counter attack. Experienced centre-forward Rehan Butt made it 2-1 for Pakistan in the very first minute of the second half from a goalmouth melee. India drew parity in the 10th minute through Rajpal Singh’s field goal before heavy rains suspended play for nearly 40 minutes. However, veteran Sohail Abbas ensured a happy outing for Pakistan when he scored the winning goal off its fifth short corner in the 55th minute through a powerful dragflick which beat Indian custodian Baljit Singh hands down.