Pakistan upstaged defending champions India to win the Asian Champions trophy in Doha. While India had the better of a tense encounter in the semi finals, Pakistan proved the marginally better team in the finals, enough to give them the first Asian Champions Trophy. Both teams had also contested the final last year when India finished on top in Ordos, China. Not unlike any encounter on field – it was a battle of nerves, frayed tempers and controversies but had moments of heart-stopping skill and excellent rapport between the squads as the hooter went off for the final time.
The match itself was a fantastic, high-scoring contest where stick-wielders from both sides went flat out. Unlike the semifinal where both teams were content to preserve the lead, here both teams went at it with the mantra “you score, I score more” which made of fine, attacking hockey not unlike the recent Netherlands vs Australia encounter in Champions Trophy final, only with more goal count. Pakistan drew first blood via Muhammad Waqas penalty corner goal at 7th minute after Mohammad Rizwan was blocked in circle. But India hit back as S V Sunil scored at the ninth minute. Sunil had not recovered fully from his ankle injury and it was brave of him to keep playing, let alone score what was his fourth goal of the tournament. At 21st vice captain V R Raghunath drag-flicked a penalty corner to give India a slender lead and India held on to it at the lemon break. The change of ends however saw Pakistan double the ferocity of their attack.
Shafqat Rasool scurried through the left flank at the 42nd minute to restore parity before Mohammad Irfan sounded the board with a high drag-flick five minutes later to put Pakistan ahead. For once the Indian defenders looked flustered, but surprisingly, their forwards and midfield didn’t hang back and focused on creating more opportunities upfront. Gurwinder Chandi used a superb set piece through pass to make it three-all at the 55th minute. In a period of intense attacks and counterattacks from both teams saw them exchange another set of goals within two minutes of each other as Waqas scored his second goal two minutes later with a smart, opportunistic move. Rupinder pal Singh made if even at four another two minutes later.
It was riveting stuff from both teams as they missed a few chances but someone inevitably rose to occasion and you could almost sense that with every attacking move there was a goal to be had. By now both the defenses were edgy, as were the referees. In 64th minute Irfan scored his second goal, converting a short corner. India pushed hard again – there was a line call from one of their penalty corner efforts which the Korean umpire ruled out. A heated argument followed, almost threatening a walk out by the Indians but good sense prevailed.
Pakistan defense held firm until the final whistle to seal the winning moment. Thankfully, like all good contests it ended on a good note -despite the frayed tempers both teams left the field shaking hands, smiling and completely drained like worthy warriors after a great contest.
Pakistan lift trophy after high-scoring battle
