A rousing win for a tactically and physically superior India. The penalty corner conversions by Sandeep Singh, the versatility of India's midfield and the workhorse like qualities of the defence all put India on the pedestal against Pakistan.
Where India won it: A strong midfield which saw Sardar Singh emerge a clear winner, an imaginative linkman in Arjun Halappa saw the forwardline kept busy. India's penalty corners were all results of quickfire forays that had the Pakistanis groping for answers. The option of swift switch in the line of end, India's defence had commissioned enough men to keep them safe. Leading them was Vikram Pillay.
Where Pakistan won it: Not in many areas. The midfield control was fleeting but that was where Waseem Ahmed tried his best to keep his flock together. Sohail Abbas looked dangerous in two penalty corners.
Sparklers: Vikram Pillay who spanned the entire area from defence to attack, Arjun Halappa, Sardar Singh and the forwardline comprising skipper Rajpal Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Tushar Khandekar, Deepak Thakur and Gurvinder Chandi.
Duds: Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi. Sohail to an extent, as he was not at his lethal best.
In the final analysis: Pakistan were beaten by a superior team. India's gameplan was to set the pace and maintain it. Superior fitness came to their aid. Midfield supremacy and the space Pakistan provided in the last 30 metres saw India push for the kill. Perhaps, they could have done well to slacken the pace, conserve energy before swinging into action again. That perhaps would have made them more complete. Winning penalty corners have become an art now.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/hockey-world-cup/top-stories/Tactical-reading-of-India-Pakistan-match/articleshow/5629546.cms
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