Sixteen years ago, India and Pakistan last met at the men’s Hockey World Cup. The rivalry had everything expected of it: a packed stadium, Penalty-Corner drama and a commanding Indian performance.
The stage was the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on February 28, 2010. Host India was up against Pakistan in a Pool B clash.
India eventually produced a memorable 4-1 victory, with drag-flick specialist Sandeep Singh playing a starring role.
India began aggressively, using both flanks and putting Pakistan under pressure early. Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar kept his side in the contest with a series of saves, denying Tushar Khandekar and Diwakar Ram in the opening quarter.
But India’s pressure eventually told.
Shivendra Singh opened the scoring in the 27th minute, reacting quickest after Sandeep’s PC flick was saved. Sandeep then doubled India’s advantage with another PC conversion just five seconds before half-time.
India picked up where it left off after the break. Prabhjot Singh made it 3-0 in the 37th minute after a goalmouth scramble, leaving Pakistan with a mountain to climb.
Sandeep then struck again from a PC in the 57th minute to make it 4-0.
Pakistan had chances of its own. Sohail Abbas hit the woodwork twice before finally getting on the scoresheet in the 59th minute, converting Pakistan’s fourth PC.
It was too little, too late.
India saw out the remaining minutes to complete a 4-1 win, with both sides earning five PCs and India converting two of them. The result also gave India a 3-2 head-to-head advantage over Pakistan in World Cup meetings at the time.
Published on Aug 18, 2026
