India defeated Pakistan 1-0 on Sunday in an emotionally-charged opener to take the lead in a two-match football series, the first between the arch-rivals for nine years.
The hosts hung on to their slender lead after striker Robin Singh scored in the 44th minute in front of thousands of cheering home fans at the Bangalore Football Stadium.
Pakistan dominated the proceedings initially but the Indians regrouped to launch a counter-attack.
Midfielder Pronoy Halder came close to scoring in the 16th minute, only to be thwarted by Pakistan goalkeeper Muzammil Hussain.
The hosts squandered at least three more scoring chances before Singh flicked in Lalrindika Ralte’s corner to give India the lead.
Pakistan nearly equalised early in the second half, but keeper Amrinder Singh did well to stop captain Kalleemullah’s close-range header from going into the net.
India were reduced to 10 men when Robin Singh received his second yellow card of the game. The lanky striker shook his head in disappointment as he walked off the field.