Guwahati: Indian men hockey team went down to Pakistan 1-2 in an exciting encounter in 12th South Asian Games at the Moullana MD Tayabullah Hockey Stadium, Bhetapara in Guwahati, Assam on Monday. The win took Pakistan to top of the points table in the pool stage.

The Pakistan started the match in an attacking manner putting the Indian team on the defence in the initial moments of the game. The attacking play was duly rewarded in the 11th minute for the Pakistan team with a goal from Arslan Muhammad Qadir who scored a field goal to put the team in the lead. The Indian team regrouped and started pressing hard in order to get the equalising goal but the Pakistan defense held strong to keep the Indian attackers at bay. The first half ended with Pakistan leading by 1-0.

The start of the second half increased the problems for the Indian team. Arslan Muhammad Qadir again found a loop hole in the Indian defense within to score the second goal for Pakistan within 2 minutes of the second half. The Indian team two goals behind pressed hard to close the gap. The breakthrough came from the Indian Captain in the Mandeep Antil in the 53rd minute to reduce the goal deficit to 1 goal. India made numerous attacking moves but none of them converted into a goal. The match ended with a win for Pakistan by 2-1.

India will play their next match against Sri Lanka on 10th February, 2016 in a must win match.