Picture Credit: Twitter
Defending champions India played a 1-1 draw against Pakistan to start off their Asia Cup 2022 campaign at the GBK Hockey Field in Jakarta. India took the lead early in the first quarter, thanks to a goal from debutant Karthi Selvam who scored through a drag flick from a penalty corner.
The Indian team never looked back from there and while Pakistan did create some chances goalkeeper Suraj Karkera and Indian defence ensured that the Indian blues do not concede in the first three quarters. However, Abdul Rana tapped home the equaliser for Pakistan with just over a minute to go for the final whistle. This was a huge contest as both the teams are three-time champions and are only one title behind record champions South Korea who have won the competition four times.
India will next play Japan on Tuesday while Pakistan will play Indonesia. As a result of a 1-1 draw, both India and Pakistan have a point each which have kept then in the middle of Pool A which is being led by Japan who started off their campaign with a 9-0 win over Indonesia. As a result of the thrashing received by Japan, the hosts are at bottom of Pool A.