The World Cup returned to Asia, this time to India. It was the last time an international hockey tournament was played on grass. Twelve teams featured in this edition played at Wankhede, BHA Stadium, Mumbai from December 29, 1981 to January 12, 1982. Soviet Union were the new entrants. The tournament saw experimental rules like the hit-in and pass-back to start and restart proceedings, eliminating the bully-off, long corner, sticks and roll-in.
The all-conquering Pakistan joined Australia, the Netherlands and Germany in the semi-finals. At Buenos Aires in the previous World Cup, Pakistan had defeated Germany in the semis and Holland in the final to emerge tops. This time they met Holland in the semi-finals, while Australia and Germany contested the other semi-final.
Pakistan went on to beat Holland 4-2, with goals from Hanif Khan, Kaleemullah, Hassan Sardar and Manzoor, Sr. Paul Litjens scored both goals for Holland. Germany beat Australia, who were unbeaten till then, 8-5 on penalties in the other semi-final after the teams were locked 3-3 at the end of extra-time.
In the final, Pakistan proved too good for West Germany, winning 3-1. Hassan Sardar, Manzoor Jr and Kaleemullah scored for Pakistan while Heiner Dopp got Germany’s lone goal. It was the second consecutive World Cup that Pakistan ended up unbeaten.
Australia defeated Holland 4-2 to win the third spot. India end up fifth by beating Sovite Union 5-1. A small consolation for India was that Rajinder Singh emerged top scorer with 12 goals. The tournament is best remembered for the opportunism and goal-poaching skills of Pakistani centre forward Hassan Sardar, who scored 10 goals.
As many as 203 goals were scored in 42 matches at 4.83 goals per match.
FINAL STANDING IN 1981-82:
Country P W D L GF GA Success%
1. Pakistan 7 7 – – 38 12 100.00
2. Germany 7 4 1 2 17 16 64.28
3. Australia 7 6 – 1 20 10 85.71
4. Holland 7 3 1 3 21 19 50.00
5. India 7 5 – 2 29 15 71.42
6. Soviet Union 7 1 3 3 11 20 35.71
7. New Zealand 7 3 – 4 18 23 42.85
8. Poland 7 2 – 5 8 18 28.57
9. England 7 3 1 3 10 15 50.00
10. Malaysia 7 1 1 5 11 20 21.42
11. Spain 7 2 1 4 11 14 35.71
12. Argentina 7 1 – 6 9 21 14.28
TRIVIA:
** Pakistan is the only team to win two successive World Cup with out losing a single match. After winning the World Cup in 1978 with out losing a single matches, Pakistan went to win next World Cup in 1980-81 by winning all seven matches.
** Pakistan set a new record of most goals in a single World Cup by netted 38 goals in seven matches at Mumbai in 1981-82.
