Asia Cup 2009 :: India-Pakistan tie offers much intrigue and excitement

An India-Pakistan hockey match is definitely mouth-watering. Hence, today’s Group B Asia Cup match at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium is bound to be an intriguing and exciting encounter.

Last month, India defeated Pakistan in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and then beat Malaysia to win the title.

However, Pakistan are ahead in their head-to-head encounters.

Today’s match marks their 139th meeting with India winning 43 times. Pakistan have won 72 times and 23 matches have ended in draws. Because the stakes are higher in the Asia Cup, both sides have beefed up their line-ups.

Today’s match will see two of the most lethal penalty-corner hitters in the world in action.

Pakistan have recalled the widely regarded penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas. They have included seasoned campaigners Rehan Butt, Waseem Ahmad and goalkeeper Salman Akhbar.

Thus, Pakistan have more firepower and stability which were lacking during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

For India, Sandeep Singh is their main flicker and he is also an effective goal getter. In the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, he scored eight of India’s total tally of 11 goals.

So who is the better flicker? The effectiveness of these two flickers will also in many ways decide the outcome of their clash in Kuantan.

India coach Herender Singh is convinced that they can repeat their win over Pakistan and go on to win the title.

But it must be said that the presence of Sohail Abbas and the other three players will give Pakistan confidence and greater experience to fall back on.

“We have also strengthened our team and my players are well equipped to handle Pakistan.

We want to start off with a win and playing Pakistan early will be good,” said Herender.