KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24: Pakistan defeated arch-rivals India 4-2 on Wednesday at the 6th Asia Cup in Malaysia, inflicting their third defeat on the Indian national side in a year.

Pakistan squandered their 2-0 lead of the first half, allowing India to fight back to an even score, but they made the most of their opportunities in front of the crowd of 8,000 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil to finish ahead.

“We wanted a win and got it through sheer hard work and determination,” said Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman.

“Though India came back strongly we held our nerves to win the match but more importantly it was a match that gave hockey good endorsement.”

Pakistan went ahead in the 11th minute when Khasif Jawad burst down the right and unleashed a shot that gave Indian keeper Devesh Chauhan no chance at all.

India upped the tempo and made inroads into the Pakistan semi-circle but they were unable to score.

Pakistan punished them by going 2-0 up through Khasif again in the 19th minute.

But India’s attacking was rewarded when Deepak Thakur scored five minutes later.

Although Dilip Tirkey had the ball in the Pakistani net through a penalty corner strike in the next minute, umpire David Gentles of Australia disallowed it for dangerous play.

But India were not to be denied and they were on level terms seconds before the half-time hooter when Sandeep Michael snuck behind the Pakistani defence to beat Ahmad Alam.

From the start of the second half play swung from end to end with no team capable of breaking the deadlock.

The break came for Pakistan when they were awarded a penalty corner in the 60th minute.

Instead of stopping the ball for ace marksman Sohail Abas, Waseem Ahmad opted to improvise and took a shot on his own.

Though the shot was not powerful it caught the Indian defenders and keeper Devesh off guard.

Sohail confirmed Pakistan’s win by converting a penalty corner in the 68th minute.

In another match South Korea finally found their form to trounce Japan 6-0.

Seo Jong Ho and Kim Kyung Seok scored two goals each and You Hyo Sik and Lee Jung Seon took one each.

South Korea topped Group A and will now face India while Pakistan, who top Group B, will play Japan in Friday’s semi-finals.

Earlier Wednesday, Malaysia continued their dismal run in the Asia Cup when they struggled to defeat Hong Kong 2-1.

And in the fourth match of the day, China trashed Bangladesh 8-0 with Song Yi netting seven of their goals and Yu Haiao scoring in the 17th minute.

Standings after Wednesday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Group A

South Korea 3 2 1 0 14 2 7

Japan 3 2 0 1 10 11 6

Malaysia 3 1 1 1 5 5 4

Hong Kong 3 0 0 3 5 16 0

Group B

Pakistan 3 3 0 0 19 3 9

India 3 2 0 1 17 5 6

China 3 1 0 2 10 12 3

Bangladesh 3 0 0 3 0 26 0

—AFP