It was billed as the clash of arch-rivals; it ended up being a one-sided display of pure excellence and dominance as India thrashed Pakistan 10-2 in their Pool A match in Hangzhou on September 30.
This is the highest ever margin of victory for India against Pakistan and the first time India has scored more than seven goals in 180 face-offs so far.
Even given the superiority of the Indian team, evident in the Asian Champions Trophy just over a month ago, this was clinical to the point of ruthless. Back then Pakistan, despite losing, had shown traces of individual brilliance and signs of going down fighting. On Saturday, there was barely any evidence of either. The result assures India of a semifinal spot with a last league match against Bangladesh yet to come.
