LONDON: Pakistan’s difficult campaign in the FIH Pro Hockey League took another painful turn as arch-rivals India produced a dominant display to secure a crushing 7-1 victory, handing the Green Shirts their 15th consecutive defeat in the competition.
The highly anticipated clash began on a promising note for Pakistan, raising hopes of an upset against one of the world’s top hockey nations. However, those hopes quickly faded as India responded with an overwhelming attacking performance that completely changed the course of the match.
Pakistan made the brighter start and stunned their rivals in the opening quarter when Abubakar found the back of the net to give his side an early lead. The goal sparked celebrations among Pakistani supporters and briefly put India under pressure.
But the advantage proved short-lived.
India gradually took control of possession, increased the tempo, and began creating chances across the field. Once the equalizer arrived, the momentum shifted decisively in their favor.
What followed was a relentless attacking masterclass from the Indian side.
The men in blue scored seven unanswered goals, exposing Pakistan’s defensive weaknesses and preventing the Green Shirts from mounting any meaningful response. Their fast passing, clinical finishing, and disciplined structure left Pakistan chasing the game for long periods.
Despite moments of individual effort, Pakistan struggled to contain the constant waves of Indian attacks. The defensive unit was repeatedly tested, while the forwards found it difficult to create clear scoring opportunities after the opening goal.
By the final whistle, India had completed a comprehensive 7-1 victory, one of the most one-sided results between the two traditional rivals in recent years.
For Pakistan, the defeat extends an alarming run in the FIH Pro League. The Green Shirts have now lost 15 consecutive matches in the tournament, highlighting the challenges facing the national hockey setup as it seeks to compete with the world’s leading teams.
The result also raises fresh concerns about Pakistan’s consistency, defensive organization, and ability to convert opportunities against elite opposition. While the team showed promise early in the contest, it was unable to sustain that level against a confident Indian side.
Meanwhile, India will take plenty of confidence from the emphatic win as they continue their Pro League campaign with renewed momentum.
Pakistan, on the other hand, will have little time to recover from the disappointment. The Green Shirts are scheduled to play their final Pro League match against England men’s national field hockey team later today and will be eager to end their campaign on a positive note.
After another tough outing, Pakistan’s focus will now be on restoring pride and finding answers ahead of future international competitions.
