Indian beat Pakistan 2-0 in SAF Games hockey opener

Colombo, Aug 21 (UNI) India scored once in each half to kick off their SAF Games hockey campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Nandimithra Ekanayaka Ground at Matale, some 125 km off Colombo.

Raghunath converted a penalty corner in the 27th minute to put India ahead as the side went into the breather with a 1-0 lead.

After play resumed, Gurbaaz Singh completed the tally with a field goal in the 55th minute.

The Indian developmental team, under coach Clarence Lobo, played with purpose and stitched together quite a number of moves and could have won by a bigger margin but for poor finishing by the forward.

Coach Clarence Lobo, however, was happy with the boys' performance even though he felt there clearly are rooms for improvement.

''We played well today, both attacking and defending. I hope the boys play even better as the tournament progresses,'' he told UNI.

India plays Sri Lanka in their next encounter tomorrow.

UNI AY DH RN1836