Favourites India prevailed 3-2 over arch-rivals Pakistan to reclaim the Asian Champions Trophy hockey in a thrilling summit showdown, presenting a perfect Diwali gift to the nation here yesterday.
Goals from Rupinder Pal Singh (18th minute), Yousuf Affan (23rd) and Nikkin Thimmaiah (51st) helped India surmount the challenge from Pakistan, who rallied from two goals behind through strikes by Muhammad Aleem Bilal (26th) and Ali Shaan (38th) in the title clash of the fourth edition of tournament.
This was the first time the teams were meeting in the final of a continental tournament since India dethroned Pakistan as the Asian Games champions in Incheon, South Korea in 2014.
India had won the inaugural edition of the Asian Champions Trophy by defeating Pakistan in the final in 2011. Pakistan reversed the result in the title contest the next year and went on to retain it in 2013 by defeating Japan in the final.
World No. 6 India were the favourites going into the tournament, but were without several seasoned players who had been rested to recuperate from injuries.
Here's how Twitter reacted:
Yesterday Moral of the story :
Maa ki Mamta Jeet aasan bana deti hai.
Today Moral of the story :#BaapBaapHotaHai#IndVsPak#NoMaukaMauka
Now it's really Diwali! India beat Pakistan 3-2 in the finals of the Asian Hockey. Shabash to Rupinder, Affan & Thimmaiah. #AsianChampions
Superb Diwali gift by our Men's team @TheHockeyIndia to d nation by defeating Pakistan in the finals & winning Asian Champions Trophy title
Source:DNAidndia
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