India defeats Pakistan to clinch Asian Games hockey title
India defeated defending champions Pakistan in a thrilling penalty shootout on Thursday to clinch the Asian Games Men’s Hockey final after a gap of 14 years.
India scored four goals in the shootout, with Pakistan only managing two.
India had earned a spot in the finals of the Asian Games after 12 years. The two teams have clashed in the finals of the Asian Games on eight previous occasions of which Pakistan has won 7.
Pakistan opened the scoring as early as the third minute with Mohammad Rizwan Sr’s field goal and dominated possession thereon in.
India hit back with a goal in the 27th minute through Kothajit Singh taking the game into and goal-less extra-time, leading to a penalty shootout.
India and Pakistan last met in an Asiad final at New Delhi in 1982 where the Indians suffered a stunning 1-7 rout in front of their own fans that included then prime minister Indira Gandhi.
In Beijing in 1990 when Pakistan claimed the gold and India the silver, there was no final since the winner was decided after a round-robin league.
Pakistan had defeated Malaysia 6-5 in a semi-final that entered the penalty shoot-out stage on Tuesday to face arch-rival India in the final. India beat South Korea in the other semi-final to reach the final.
Pakistan had defeated India 2-1 earlier on in the group stages, which lifted the Greenshirts to the top of the pool, sealing a place for the defending champions in the semi-finals.
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India start Day 13 of the Asian Games 2014 in Incheon on Thursday at the 11th place. At the end of Wednesday, India hit the half-century mark in terms of medal haul but seven golds were not enough to break into the top 10. But lot of equations could change as India eye a historic hockey gold and six athletes will be in the finals of track and field events. Catch all the live updates here.
1554 (IST): Second quarter gets under way. Pakistan looking for more territorial possession and playing a lot of long balls. Not a single penalty corner in the match so far.
1549 (IST): Sunil misses a great chance to level in the final minute of the first quarter. From six yards out he blazed over the top a fine cross from the right. Seconds earlier, Ramandeep failed to score after coming close. It’s the end of the first 15 minutes and Pakistan lead 1-0 by that third minute goal from Rizwan.
1544 (IST): Eleven minutes gone in the first quarter and the Pakistanis are defending well. Indians losing a lot of balls just outside the Pakistan Dee.
1539 (IST): Pakistan trying to put the pressure on India after the third minute goal. It’s quite a pacy game and the Pakistan fans are egging their team at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium.
1536 (IST): GOAL! Pakistan draw first blood from a swift counterattack. Brilliant build-up from the right flank and Rizwan Muhammad slams it in from top of the Dee. A great finish to the left of an outstretched Sreejesh
1532 (IST): Asian Games final gets under way. Both teams on the attack!
1530 (IST): Fantastic atmosphere at the hockey venue. Fans from both nations cheer loudly as players shake hands.
source: ndtv.com
Tags: Asian Hockey Champion, asian hockey final, india pakistan hockey, sports
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