India vs Pakistan hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2016 Highlights: India fight back to win 3-2

Preview: Pakistan’s encounter against India is the showpiece match of the Asian Champions Trophy and will provide an exhibition of attacking sub-continental hockey. Pakistan were missing from the Olympic Games line-up after failing to earn qualification through the Hockey World League. A loss in the final of the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon to India meant the automatic Asian qualification went to the Indians, who were the only Asian team featuring in the Olympic men’s event in Rio de Janeiro. India had won the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy in 2011 by defeating Pakistan in the final. Pakistan reversed the result in the title encounter the following year. [caption id=“attachment_3067614” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of Indian hockey team against Pakistan. Image courtesy: Twitter[/caption] Pakistan retained the title by defeating Japan in the final in 2013, when India sent their under-21 team and finished fifth. Pakistan hockey team coach Khawaja Junaid his team will be pitted against a side that had gained a lot of international experience in recent years. “After the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where India finished last in the12-team event, the Indian team has worked on a five-year play,” said Junaid. “Since then, the Indians have played more than 200 matches and their international experience is a reason for climbing up the world rankings,” he said. The Pakistan coach was pleased at the way his boys had soaked in the pressure to prevail 1-0 over South Korea after suffering a shock 2-4 loss to hosts Malaysia. Junaid implored his players to keep their emotions in check and stick to the game-plan. “The players need to keep their emotions in check. It was our exuberance that squandered away the lead against Malaysia. We must also maintain the structure of our game,” he added. The Indian captain, PR Sreejesh had also implored his players to play it cool when they take on Pakistan. Seeking to cool the nerves of his players, Sreejesh said the preliminary league fixture against Pakistan was just one of the matches.