London, 27 June (H.S.): The Indian men's hockey team produced a commanding performance to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan 7-1 in the London leg of the FIH Pro League late Friday, registering one of their most emphatic victories over their neighbours. After conceding the opening goal, India responded with seven unanswered goals to completely dominate the contest at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.

Sukhjeet Singh (20th minute), captain Harmanpreet Singh (26th), Hardik Singh (34th), Jugraj Singh (35th), Abhishek (41st), Raj Kumar Pal (44th) and Dilpreet Singh (54th) found the net for India. Abu Bakar Mahmood scored Pakistan's only goal in the 13th minute.

Indian midfielder Hardik Singh was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round display.

Pakistan made a bright start to the match. India earned their first penalty corner within the opening two minutes but failed to convert the opportunity. In the 13th minute, Pakistan won a penalty corner, and captain Abu Bakar Mahmood converted with a powerful drag flick to hand his side a 1-0 lead.

India took complete control in the second quarter. In the 20th minute, Harmanpreet Singh's drag flick from a penalty corner was brilliantly deflected into the goal by Sukhjeet Singh, levelling the score at 1-1.

Six minutes later, India earned another penalty corner, and Harmanpreet Singh unleashed a powerful drag flick that beat the Pakistani goalkeeper to put India ahead 2-1.

The third quarter witnessed a relentless Indian attacking display. In the 34th minute, India secured back-to-back penalty corners, and after the second one resulted in a penalty stroke, Hardik Singh calmly converted to extend the lead to 3-1.

Moments later, India launched a swift counterattack. A well-worked move involving Dilpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh was expertly finished by Jugraj Singh, making it 4-1.

In the 41st minute, Abhishek scored a superb field goal after receiving an excellent pass from Sukhjeet Singh. India continued to pile on the pressure, and Raj Kumar Pal capitalised on a rebound from another penalty corner in the 44th minute to increase the advantage to 6-1.

India maintained their dominance in the final quarter. Dilpreet Singh completed the scoring in the 54th minute with a well-taken goal after another impressive attacking move.

Pakistan earned two consecutive penalty corners in the closing stages of the match, but the Indian defence, supported by experienced midfielder Manpreet Singh, successfully denied both attempts to preserve the commanding six-goal margin.

Brief Score:

India 7 (Sukhjeet Singh 20', Harmanpreet Singh 26', Hardik Singh 34', Jugraj Singh 35', Abhishek 41', Raj Kumar Pal 44', Dilpreet Singh 54')

Pakistan 1 (Abu Bakar Mahmood 13')

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar