India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a tense semifinal at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, having initially built a 3-0 lead before their arch-rivals levelled the score in the final quarter. Abhishek\u2019s late goal, around 40 seconds from the final hour, sealed India\u2019s place in the title clash.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jarmanpreet said India had deliberately approached the tournament one match at a time, with the semifinal victory representing an important step towards their bigger objectives.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was very important for us to win this because our main target from the start was to win the gold medal here and qualify for the Olympics. We went match by match, and even today our focus was on winning this match first and reaching the final. This is a very good step for us, and we will try to do well in the final,\u201d Jarmanpreet told IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India had looked in control after Harmanpreet Singh scored twice and Sukhjeet Singh added another, but Pakistan mounted a strong comeback to make it 3-3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jarmanpreet said the team remained focused on giving its best despite the intensity of the contest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOur focus was to give 100 per cent. I think in such matches, these heat-of-the-moment situations are important because they keep the match alive. The match remained like that, so our only focus was that we had to win this match and leave the field with a victory,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Calling the victory over Pakistan important, Jarmanpreet praised the opponents while highlighting India\u2019s performance under pressure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis win was very important. Reaching the final was very important, and by winning the semifinal, we have taken one step forward. Our matches against Pakistan are always like this. Pakistan are also a good team, and they played well, but our team performed better and won to move forward,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sanjay, meanwhile, said India\u2019s ability to stay together through the difficult phases of the semifinal was key to the victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was a very tough match, but we always expect semifinals and knockout matches to be like this. We supported and motivated each other regardless of the score. It does not matter if the score becomes 3-3 or whatever. What matters is what the score is when the 60 minutes are over and whether you feel that you did what you had planned. We definitely followed our plan and did that today, and we won,\u201d Sanjay said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He said the players focused on their game plan rather than the noise surrounding an India-Pakistan contest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was a very tough match, but we always expect semifinals and knockout matches to be like this. We supported and motivated each other regardless of the score. It does not matter if the score becomes 3-3 or whatever. What matters is what the score is when the 60 minutes are over and whether you feel that you did what you had planned. We definitely followed our plan and did that today, and we won,\u201d Sanjay said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Special Cricket Stories<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n