India beat Pakistan 5-2 in a pool-stage hockey match at Amstelveen on Wednesday, sending them through to the second round alongside England, who thrashed Wales 8-2 to win Pool D. India will next face the Netherlands and the winner of Thursday’s match between Argentina and New Zealand.

Early dominance

The pressure was evident from the first minute, with India’s forward line defending from the front and forcing Pakistan into errors. The turnovers paid off with a couple of penalty corners in the fifth minute, and Harmanpreet, in red-hot form all tournament, made no mistake to give India the lead.

India kept their foot on the pedal. Their forward line had managed just one field goal in the tournament coming into the match, but that tally was doubled in the 11th minute as Abhishek produced some sharp stick work inside the circle to beat the Pakistan defenders and make it 2-0 with a deflected finish.

By the end of the first quarter, India had racked up seven shots, ten circle entries and four penalty corners, with Pakistan struggling to get a foothold in the game.

End-to-end hockey in the second quarter

The second quarter brought a glimpse of India-Pakistan hockey from both sides’ golden era, end-to-end and counter-attacking. Pakistan had their moments too, with forays into the Indian circle that caused some trouble for the defence, but India’s transitions from defence to attack proved decisive.

In the 21st minute, India won another penalty corner and Harmanpreet opted for a variation; Rajinder’s shot was saved by the Pakistan goalkeeper. Moments later, Harmanpreet was at the end of a quick move after India regained possession, making it 3-0.

Pakistan finally got on the board through Hannan Shahid, who found the net at his third attempt. His first effort took an awkward bounce off the turf before Suraj Karkera pushed it away, and the India goalkeeper then stopped the follow-up as well, but Shahid reacted quickest to the loose ball and steered the rebound into the far corner.

India responded within minutes. Abhishek restored the three-goal cushion with a strong run into the Pakistan circle, his shot deflecting in. In the same minute, Pakistan earned a penalty corner of their own, which Sufiyan Khan converted to make it 4-2 at half-time.

Vivek Sagar Prasad takes control

India’s midfield had been found wanting in a recent 2-4 defeat to England, overrun and outplayed through the final quarter of that match. This time, the third quarter called for control, and Vivek Sagar Prasad, who has previously spoken about applying his interest in chess to his reading of the game, stepped up.

Though not the tallest or bulkiest player on the field, Vivek repeatedly broke up Pakistan’s pressure and moved the ball into attack. One such move led to India’s fifth goal: he spread play wide to Jarmanpreet, who found Arjun Lallage inside the circle. Lallage was fouled by Pakistan’s Arshad, and the referee awarded a penalty stroke.

With Harmanpreet off the field, Hardik stepped up and converted, a goal that proved to be the winner.