Adil Najam
Pakistan hockey team made it to the finals of the Asian Games after a lapse of 20 years – the last time they did so was also in China in 1990 – with goalkeeper Salman Akbar the hero of the day for saving the last South Korean strike in the semi-finals shootout.
Pakistan will ow play Malaysia in the Finals.
This was a major upset for the South Koreans who won the Asian gold in both the last two games. It was also a meaningful victory for Pakistan because for many observers the ‘fall’ of Pakistan hockey had become visible at around the same time that the rise of the South Koreans had become evident – at the Seoul Asian Games on 1986, where favorites Pakistan had lost and underdogs South Korea had emerged triumphant. Pakistan had then regained the title in the 1990 Beijing Olympics – twenty years ago.
Pakistan will now face Malaysia in the Finals – another upset since India was considered the favorites but lost to Malaysia in their semi-finals game.
They won but only just.Let us hope luck stays with them.There are serious flaws in the forward line. Most of them hate to get rid of the ball.Many moves were wasted due to lack of proper finish. Good finishes bring victory.
Assalamu Alaikum
Very nice, MashaAllah Pakistan won and mubarak to Malaysia for wining the semis also. Malaysia beat India, I can’t believe it. But inshaAllah Malaysia will lose to Pakistan in the final.
HELOO PAKISTANI HOCKEY TEAM I LOVE YOU AP NAIN HUMRA NAAM FUKER SY BULAD KER DIYA SO NEXT TIME PLZ FINAL MATCH LAZMI JEET KY GOLD MEDEL LY KER ANA PLZ PLZ FIAL MIAN LAZMI JEET KY WATAN ANA IM PLYER OF HOCKEY UNDER 16 FAISALABAD HOCKEY ACADIMY LOVE YOU LOVE TO ALL PAKISTAN;
Finally!
Well done, Pakistan.