Published 13:12 IST, August 10th 2023
Goosebumps guaranteed! Crowd sings 'Vande Mataram' ahead of IND vs PAK hockey match- WATCH
During the Ind vs Pak game in the Asian Champions Trophy, the crowd at Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium was lively and sang "Vande Mataram" in sync.
On Wednesday, India and Pakistan squared off in the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 and as it always happens in the clash between these arch-rivals, a spectacle was created at the venue. To the delight of the Hockey India fans, the team obliterated Pakistan at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium with a scoreline of 4-0. The win means India topped the standings and will now face Japan in the semi-final of the continental tournament.
3 things you need to know
- India thrashed Pakistan 4-0 in the Asian Champions Trophy
- India have so far defeated China, Malaysia, Korea, and Pakistan in the tournament
- India finished the round-robin stage at the top of the standings
Crowd sang Vande Mataram in sync during IND vs PAK ACTgame
To witness the India vs Pakistan encounter a huge crowd gathered inside the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. Ahead of the start of the game, the crowd was voracious and showcased the display of teamwork before a similar show by Team India in the next four quarters. The roof blew up as those in attendance started to sing the national song of India. The deafening rhythm of "Vande Mataram" echoed inside the stadium in Chennai.
This crowd is going to blow the roof off the stadium tonight.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 9, 2023
Vanakkam Chennai for this grand gesture 🙏#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #HACT2023 pic.twitter.com/PQp0xQl4eS
India vanquish Pakistan to top the standings
About the match, India captain Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring in the 15th-minute courtesy of a sublime drag flick. Eight minutes later he scored another through a penalty corner and Pakistan was in huge duress before halftime. India extended its cushion in the 3rd quarter when Jugrag Singh scored off a setpiece. At 3-0 down it was already curtains for Pakistan but India were relentless in their approach. In the final quarter, Akashdeep Singh scored the field goal to take the lead to 4-0. Soon the referee blew the final whistle and the bottom line read that India dominated Pakistan on all ends. It is India's 9th win over Pakistan in the last 11 matches.
With the win, India sailed to the semi-final stage and will now take on Japan, the only team they have failed to beat in the tournament. The semi-final will take place on Friday, August 11, 2023. As for Pakistan, they crashed out from the race to qualify for the semi final after not being able to keep the margin of the defeat to 1-0. A draw could have taken them through as well but it wasn't to be.
Updated 15:37 IST, August 10th 2023