India got the result, the fans got an entertaining game and five goals went past Pakistan. A 5-3 win over Pakistan also confirmed India’s place in the championship pool, so there was plenty to like about the evening in Amstelveen.
The attacking return was excellent. Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored twice each, Hardik Singh added another from a penalty stroke, and India kept finding goals whenever Pakistan threatened to pull themselves back into the match. For an exhibition of how entertaining hockey can be, this was a very good game.
The tactical picture was less comfortable. This was not the defence-to-counter India have built much of their recent hockey around. It looked closer to the attacking India of the pre-2023 period: open, end-to-end and willing to trade chances. Pakistan scored three and entered India’s circle 16 times, which leaves a question about whether this is an approach India would want to carry into the tougher matches ahead.
A Great Result and a Very Different India
Pakistan were always likely to make this a different kind of game. Their hockey still leans heavily on individual skill, dribbling and players trying to create something themselves, and India appeared willing to meet them in that kind of contest.
India still had the better numbers. They finished with 57.7 per cent possession, 28 circle entries and 17 shots, compared with Pakistan’s 42.3 per cent possession, 16 circle entries and 11 shots. Five goals from that attacking output is a very good return, especially in a game where Pakistan kept finding ways back into the contest.
There is also a possibility that the change in approach was deliberate. Abhishek said after the match, “Let’s see what the next team is and we’ll plan according to that.” That suggests India may be planning game by game rather than relying on one fixed approach. If this was specific to Pakistan, India got the result they wanted from it.
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Harmanpreet and Abhishek Deliver, Lalage Adds Something Different
Harmanpreet scored twice from penalty corners and took his tournament tally to five. Abhishek also scored twice from open play, while Hardik converted India’s penalty stroke in the third quarter. Five goals against Pakistan is still an excellent attacking return and India had more than one route to goal.
Seeing Abhishek on the scoresheet again was particularly encouraging. His attacking ability has never been in doubt, and one of his goals was another reminder of the quality he can produce around the circle. Harmanpreet’s scoring form continues to give India another major weapon from penalty corners.
Aditya Arjun Lalage deserves a mention away from the goals. His runs down the right were some of India’s best open-play moments, especially the way he carried the ball, dodged defenders and kept driving forward. In a game full of dribbling and individual skill, Lalage looked completely comfortable and gave India real attacking value from that side.
Three Goals Conceded Is the Bigger Warning
At 3-0, India looked to have taken their foot off the pedal a little. The game became more open, Pakistan found more space and India allowed a match they had under control to become uncomfortable.
That is where the tactical concern comes in. Pakistan finished with 11 shots and 16 circle entries, including six entries in Q2 and another six in Q3. For a team India should be able to control more comfortably, that is too much access to the circle. The end-to-end hockey was great to watch, but it also exposed India’s defence and midfield far more than it needed to.
There is a useful contrast with the European leg of the Pro League. India were scoring goals there, but the number conceded remained uncomfortably close to the number being scored. At this World Cup, the gap between the two has improved, which is a positive. Against stronger championship-pool opponents, though, the same amount of space could be punished much more heavily.
Pakistan Stayed True to Their Hockey
Pakistan deserve credit for staying with the hockey they know. They continued to dribble, attack space and trust individual skill rather than trying to turn themselves into a structured European side for one match.
Hannan Shahid scored two field goals, including one excellent finish, while Sufyan Khan again showed why his drag flick needs to be respected. His penalty-corner goal was a rocket. Pakistan’s style has limitations in the modern international game, but it also gives them a character that makes them interesting to watch.
The international game would be a little less exciting if Pakistan completely lost that character. India were simply good enough at the other end to make sure Pakistan’s attacking moments did not decide the match.
Discipline Cannot Become a Distraction
India also picked up two green cards and a five-minute yellow. Green cards are common enough in modern hockey, but the yellow is more significant because it left India playing with ten players for five minutes.
It had no impact on the final result, although the larger point is about staying with the plan. There were periods when the game became scrappy and emotional, and India have already shown against England that they can be rattled when a match moves away from the rhythm they want.
A championship approach requires more control. Opponents can make games physical, emotional or disruptive, but India still have to stay with their own structure and avoid unnecessary distractions.
India Have the Result, Now the Level Goes Up
India beat Pakistan, scored five and qualified for the championship pool. That is a very good night by any measure. Harmanpreet and Abhishek got two each, Lalage gave India another threat on the right, and the team showed enough attacking quality to keep answering whenever Pakistan pushed back.
The question now is whether this open approach was specific to Pakistan or something India intend to carry forward. Abhishek’s post-match comment suggests the next opponent could bring a different plan, and that would make sense with the Netherlands and another strong championship-pool opponent waiting ahead.
The result should give India confidence. The performance also gives them something to think about. If the aim is to reach a World Cup final, the next stage will probably require more control than this match demanded.
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