Striker Dharamvir Singh hit a brace as India spanked Scotland 4-0 on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of making it to the semifinals of the Commonwealth Games men’s hockey tournament.
The Indians will now have to win their Pool A match against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday for a place in the last-four before a sell-out crowd at the Major Dhyan Chand stadium.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan lost 1-0 against defending champions Australia who set themselves on course for the fourth gold medal on the trot with their third win in as many matches.
India and Pakistan both have six points from three games.
India, coming into the match on the back of a 5-2 defeat to Australia, played with purpose and skill to bang in two goals in each half and register their second win of the tournament.
Forward Saravanjit Singh put India in the lead in the seventh minute before Dharamvir scored a fine field goal in the 12th to help India go into the break with a 2-0 lead.
Full-back Dhananjay Mahadik made it 3-0 with a drag-flick after India earned a penalty corner in the 51st minute while Dharamvir returned to slam home his second goal of the match nine minutes from the close.
India coach Jose Brasa said he had expected the team to score more goals.
“We should have won 7-0,” said the Spaniard. “The goals are very important because if we draw against Pakistan, the goal difference will come into play.
“The Scots played well in the second half and our defence did well to stop them from scoring any goal.
“Pakistan are playing very well in this tournament, much better than what they did in the World Cup. We will have to match them and be on top of our form if we are to get the better of them.”
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