BEIJING: Pakistan dashed India’s hopes of a gold handing them a 32 defeat in the final league match of the Asian games ‘men’s hockey tournament here Friday.
‘A delayed burst of aggression by India in the second half was not enough to counter the swift and strong Pakistan attack that broke through the Indian cordon at crucial times for victory.
For the seventh time in eight finals in the history of Asian games hockey, the gold medal’ eluded India. But, this time, apart from not getting the title, India also lost the automatic berth for the 1922 Barcelona Olympic Games.
Pakistan completed the seven team round robin tournament will 12 points for six victories in as many matches. India finished second with 10 points from 5 wins and Friday’s defeat.
‘Adopting the traditional pattern of play, India only flattered to deceive. It silenced the overflowing block of Pakistan supporters with Jagdev Singh converting a penalty comer in the 24th minute, off the first one they forced.
Six minutes later, the slender lead was nullified by Pakistan through outside night ‘Qamar Ibrahim who took advantage of a defence lapse.
Pakistan, silver medalist at the Lahore world cup in February this year, moved ahead in the 43rd minute with Musaddiq Hassain scoring a field goal while Tahir Zaman struck home 4 minutes later.
The Indian attack made a last ditch attempt in the last quarter of the match and Dhanraj Pillay scored in a goalmouth scramble,
The smooth flowing Pakistan forwards were shackled for a long time by the defence with the even the spearhead Jagbir Singh falling back to stop the agile swooper Shahbaz Ahmed.
The Indian defence was packed for a major portion of the match and that eased the pressure on Pakistani goal which had fewer moments of tension
The Indian goal survived 2 close calls thanks to the good work by Captain Pargat Singh, who played with a sprained back, and Doughty Shakil Ahmed.
Mark Patterson, who has had a good record under the bar in this tournament, anticipated moves well to foil the Pakistani attack which revolved round Centre half Farhat Khan.
The early part of the match, played at a great speed, led to some scraps between India’s Mohammed Arif and Pakistan captain Shahbaz Ahmed with many players from both sides ready to strike one another.
‘An ugly situation was averted by the timely intervention of umpire Graham Nash who warned both captains. Pakistan manager Mohammed Islahuddin too had centered the field to separate the players.
India took the lead in the 24th minute with burly penalty comer specialist Jagdev Singh striking clean off the only penalty ‘comer of the half, forced by his team.
The joy was short lived as Pakistan, backed by vociferous chants of ‘Allahoakbar’ from the stands made best use of a sudden confusion in the Indian defence.
Inside left Shahbaz Ahmed and Muassadiq Hussain combined to move up and on passed the ball to Qamar Ibrahim on the far right. Pargat Singh’s effort to clear the ball bore fruit once but the latter unleashed a stinging shot from an angle that beat Paterson.
The Indian attack suffered due its withdrawal approach. Often the winners, specially Dhanraj Pillay, made their way up but found no support from their mates there
Outside right Ram Prakash Singh, who shone only in patches, sent one sizzling centre but Jagbir Singh’s deflection missed the Pakistani goal narrowly.
R.P.Singh, who was later substituted by Darryl D’Souza, foiled Pakistan’s second penalty comer by charging out to check Khalid Bashir in the 39th minute but 4 minutes later Musaddiq Hussain put his slide ahead.
Shahbaz Ahmed sliced through the middle, moved to the left and then closed in to send the ball towards Hussain placed on top of the Indian striking circle to do the needful
Indian forwards retreated once again to defend where the field was poorer in the absence of Shakil Ahmed sent out for willful tackling of outside right Qamar Ibrahim.
India pressed in Jude Felix to replace Gundeep Kumar late in the second half but he was forced to fill in the gap of Ahmed till the latter returned with just 17 minutes to g0 for the final hooter.
Pakistan further consolidated the lead in the 47th minute, Outside left Waseem Feroze, who was otherwise not visible, cut through the lank unmarked and put the ball through to Tahir Zaman, who scored the goal.
Pakistan earned 3 penalty comers in the second half as did India but could not score of any.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 19, 1990