BHARATIYA TIGERS ROAR AGAIN

Indian tigers roar again 

The Pioneer
Sunday, September 28, 2003

Kuala Lumpur (Agencies) - Two goals in the closing
minutes gave India their first Asia Cup men's hockey
title on Sunday as they defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2
in the final. The victory gave India an automatic spot in
the 2006 World Cup in Germany.   

Indian players celebrate after winning the 6th Men's Asia
Cup at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday - AP

"This has got to be the most important win for India
after the 1998 Asian Games gold medal and the 2001 junior
World Cup triumph," said Indian coach Rajinder Singh.

"Our fitness was good and this gave us the advantage in
the closing minutes of the match," he said.

"This is truly a wonderful day for Indian hockey and the
players deserve the credit," Rajinder added,

India took the lead in the sixth minute when Kanwalpreet
Singh's direct hit off a penalty corner sailed into the
Pakistani goal after coming off the pads of keeper Ahmad
Alam. 

But Pakistan hit back right away when penalty corner ace
Sohail Abbas scored off Pakistan's first penalty corner
in the 13th minute. He sent a powerful flick into the top
left hand corner of the Indian goal, giving keeper Devesh
Chauhan no chance at all.

The Indian forwards then ran rings around the Pakistani
defence, and the team was awarded another penalty corner
in the 16th minute. Dilip Tirkey's goalbound shot was met
by a diving Gagan Ajit Singh who deflected the hit past
Alam.

The two teams were deadlocked at 2-2 at half time. The
second half was a mostly timid affair as both teams
played cautiously with no clear-cut chances. But just as
the match appeared to be heading for extra time, Ignace
Tirkey, who was adjudged the man of the match, weaved
through several defenders to send a rising hit into the
top of the Pakistan goal in the 69th minute. And Prabhjot
Singh put the icing on the cake by scoring in the next
minute. There was some consolation for Pakistan though as
they earned the Fairplay Award and their highest goal-
scorer ever Sohail Abbas being named the player of the
tournament. India's upcoming forward Sandeep Michael was
adjudged the most promising player of the tournament
which saw India lose just one of their matches in what
proved to be a superb outing for the Asian Games silver-
medallists. South Korea, champions in the past two Asia
Cups, took the third place this time, beating Japan 4-2
in the play-off. Prime Minister Vajpayee congratulated
the team. "I congratulate the players. This is the first
time that India has won this coveted trophy", he said.
 
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