Champions Trophy: England thrash Pakistan

Bhubaneswar, Dec 7: England produced a scintillating first-half performance for their second consecutive win in Pool A of the Hockey Champions Trophy here Sunday, beating Pakistan 8-2.

Mark Gleghorne’s close range touch to Alastair Brogdon’s cross got them started before Nick Catlin’s powerful hit made it 2-0. 

David Condon applied a delightful touch to Tim Whiteman’s cross for the third goal and Barry Middleton and Ashley Jackson also scored before the big break for a 5-0 lead. 

The third quarter was more circumspect but Sam Ward bagged his third goal of the tournament with a lovely finish to Adam Dixon’s excellent approach work for number six on 45 minutes.

Brogdon added the seventh with a diving first time sweep before Muhammad Arslan Qadir got a consolation goal with three minutes left with a close range finish. 

Chris Griffiths compounded the result with number eight before Muhammad Irfan netted on the final hooter. 

It is England’s biggest ever win over Pakistan in Champions Trophy history, the previous best a 2-0 win in 1999.