Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: India maul Pakistan 5-1 in group stage clash

The Indian hockey team thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan 5-1 in their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup group-stage clash at Ipoh in Malaysia on Tuesday, 12 April.

Two days after a 3-1 victory over Canada, India started off well against Pakistan, and took the lead through Manpreet Singh in the 4th minute.

However, Pakistan responded immediately, and converted a penalty corner through Muhammad Irfan to restore parity.

There was more action to come in the frenetic first quarter, as SV Sunil's deflected shot put India 2-1 up in the 10th minute.

The game slowed down following Sunil's goal, and the second quarter proved to be a damp squib, with no goals scored.

In the third quarter, SV Sunil got his name on the scoresheet once again after he scored from close range to give India a 3-1 lead.

Nine minutes later, Talwinder Singh scored India's fourth goal to put the tie out of Pakistan's reach. Rupinder Pal Singh then converted a penalty corner in the 54th minute to put the final nail in Pakistan's coffin.

The Sardar Singh-led side will next face New Zealand on Wednesday, 13 April.