Ipoh, Malaysia, May 15 (IANS) Drag-flickers Sandeep Singh and Diwakar Ram kept India on course for a podium finish in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament with a stunning 2-1 victory over Pakistan here Thursday. Sandeep (6th minute) and Diwakar (20th) scored a goal each, while mid-fielder Mohammad Saqlain (58th) reduced the margin for Pakistan.

The win against Pakistan gave India their third consecutive victory in the tournament after being defeated in the first two matches. India have moved up to the third position in the points tally with nine points from five matches.

Sandeep opened the account unleashing a powerful shot from India’s first penalty corner and a quarter of an hour later, Diwakar joined the party to bang home the second goal. India looked for more when they led 2-0 at the interval.

The Pakistanis looked out of sorts in the match. Their defence was overcautious and the attackers were less penetrating. They wasted four penalty corners in the opening session.

The second half also went on similar lines before Saqlain pulled one back for Pakistan in the 58th minute.

In the later stages of the match, the Pakistani forwards went all out and raided Indian box several times in search of the equaliser, but a resilient Indian defence thwarted them.