Johor Bahru: India cruised past Pakistan 3-1 in their last preliminary fixture of the Genting Four Nation under-21 Hockey Tournament at the Taman Daya Stadium at Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Friday.

India led 3-0 at the break with goals by Pramod Kumar (1st min), Diwakar Ram (14th min) and Danish Mujtaba (19th min). Pakistan's only goal came from a penalty corner in the 51st min from Muhammad Attique. This was their third straight win in as many days and they will clash again with their arch rivals in the final on Sunday.

India played aggressive hockey for most of the match and outwitted Pakistan in all departments with electric attacks, strong midfield display backed up by an alert defence.

India opened their account in the first minute when captain Diwakar Ram sent a free hit to right winger Mandip Antil on the flank. The Sonepat lad fired a crisp centre cross for Kumar to tap past Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Butt.

Pakistan were all at sea trying to foil the Indian onslaughts which caught them on the wrong foot.

They paid the penalty shortly after conceding a corner which Ram drag flicked home to put India 2-0 up. The Indian sorties continued and met with another success five minutes later after striker Mujtaba went past a couple of defenders to unleash a reverse which left Butt frozen.

India were awarded two penalty corners in the second half but Diwakar was unsuccessful.

However India tended to slow the pace of the proceedings allowing space to the Pakistani forwards Haseem Khan and Mohd. Zubair. But their attempts were well checked by goalkeeper Mrinal Chaubey.
Pakistan eventually found the mark when Attique sank a penalty corner in the 51st. minute. India will clash with Pakistan again on Sunday in the final.