Winning a gold after 16 years, India beat Pakistan in Asian Games 2014 hockey final.
The Indian men’s hockey team ended the country’s wait for an Asian Games hockey gold as they beat arch-rivals Pakistan in the finals of the Asian Games 2014. After the 60 minutes of regulation time, the two teams were drawn at 1-1. India beat Pakistan 4-2 in a penalty shootout to clinch the gold medal. India’s goalkeeper Sreejesh Raveendran was the hero of the match after he pulled off some stunning saves in the shootout.
This win gives India a direct qualification to the 2016 Olypmic Games that will be held in Rio de Janeiro. In 2012, the Indian team had struggled to make the cut for the 2012 London Olympics, where they finished in the last position. This is a historic win for the men’s team, who have not been in an Asian Games final for 12 years and not won a gold for 16 years.
Pakistan drew first blood in the match after Muhammad Rizwan scored in the 3rd minute. However, 9 minutes later, a sizzling cross from Kothajit Singh saw India draw level with Pakistan.
An excited Sardar Singh, captain of the team, tweeted after the victory, “We are going to the OLYMPICSSSSSSSSS GOLD MEDALISTS”.
It was a good day for India in the Asian Games 2014 as the 4×400 women’s relay team won a gold and bettered their Games record time as they completed the race in 3:28.68. The quartet of Tintu Luka, Priyanka Pawar, Mandeep Kaur and M R Poovamma were the ones that brought glory for their country.
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