Bhubaneswar: A hugely anticipated day ended in a heartbreak for Indian fans here as Pakistan knocked India out of the title race at the FIH Men's Champions Trophy on Saturday with a 4-3 win.
India will now play Australia in a bronze-medal playoff after the defending champions lost the first semi-final to Germany 2-3. Interestingly the two bottom-ranked teams from the pool stage will contest in the title match.
Pakistan No. 18 Muhammad Qadir's strike in the 59th minute sealed the fate of the game but Pakistan players celebrated objectionably with vulgar actions after the final whistle.
The FIH, however, said "no further investigation is warranted" as Pakistan coach, Shahnaz Sheikh, has apologised for what his players did and promised that it won't be repeated.
Qadir was the man who first drew level for Pakistan with a 17th min strike. Muhammad Waqas (32nd) and Muhammad Irfan (44th) were the other scorers for the visitors. After Gurjinder Singh's opening goal of the match, Dharamvir Singh (38th) and Chandanna Thimmaiah (44th) kept India in the match.
Here's a blow-by-blow account of the high-octane clash:
5th min: Rupinder almost conceded a goal by giving away possession. But Sreejesh was awake, came out of the post, and cleared the ball.
8th min: Pakistan again came close to taking the lead, again from the right, but off target this time.
12th min: Penalty corner for India after goal-mouth action. And GOAL! Gurjinder scores in the 11th min. India ahead 1-0.
15th min: PC for Pakistan in the last second of the first quarter. Clock showing 0:00. But flick off target. 1-0 after 1st quarter.
17th min: GOAL! What happend there! Pakistan equalise in the 16h min. Neat deflection. Muhammad Qadir the scorer.
21st min: PC for India. Their second of the match. But a mis-push by Rupinder. Opportunity wasted. Pakistan on the attack now.
23rd min: No clear shots at goal for the teams in the last few minutes, other than that Qadir strike. Field moves not that inspiring yet.
28th min: India on the counter with Sunil but Pakistan 'keeper comes out rushing. India appeal for intentional push. Video referral. But no PC given.
End of second quarter: 1-1 at half-time
31st min: India try to break from the left, change flank, on the right, back pass, Sardar in action. Raghunath comes up, slaps it in, but onto a Pakistani stick.
32nd min: Pakistan break with a counter, and score, GOAL! India appeal! Goal disallowed, is it? No, the it stands. India's appeal overruled. Pak lead 2-1. Muhammad Waqas the scorer.
33rd min: PC to India. And Raghunath's flick strikes rusher's foot. Follow-up PC to India. And this time Raghu pushes it way off the target.
Two back-to-back yellow cards for Pakistan. India must take advantage of 11 vs 9 now.
36th min: Nikkin with the ball. Super run, tries to pass it to Sunil on his right, but a Pakistan stick in the way. Move foiled!
38th min: GOAL! India equalise through Dharamvir Singh against a 9-man Pakistan.
40th min: Golden chance for Sardar as Rupinder's long pass finds him. The skipper takes his time, strikes, but wide! Gosh!
41st min: Now Manpreet with a solo run down the centre, enters the circle, has room to strike, takes it, but wide! Ah! Two sitters missed, first Sardar, now Manpreet.
44th min: Pakistan get a PC, and semi-final hero Muhammad Irfan delivers the goods. Goal No. 3 for Pakistan. They now lead 3-2.
44th min: India hit back through Chandana Thimmaiah's goal to lock it at 3-3. Neat deflection. Game on!
Third quarter ends: It's 3-3 and anybody's game.
48th min: India ask for a PC, and given! This could be it! Gurjinder takes it but straight into a Pakistan player. Advantage played, but India fail to make it count.
59th min: Pakistan score as India buckle under pressure in defence. Muhammad Qadir's deflection finds the net. Crowd starts leaving.
60th min: PC to India. Pakistan appeal! Decision upheld, no PC.
And the whistle blows, a 4-3 win to Pakistan. They erupt in joy, but some obscene gestures follow. India hold heads in hands. But a great game of hockey, which ended on an objectionable note. Action must be taken against them.
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