The final match of Asian Games men’s field hockey will result in double advantage for the winner team, as champion team will not only become the triumphant of
tournament rather , it will reserve a direct berth for the Olympic Games in London 2012.
Owing to this reward of direct qualification, released by FIH, both teams (Malysia and Pakistan) are more enthusiastic for winning the final match of Asian Games.
Malaysia and Pakistan have come forward for the final after tough competitions facing strong opponents, India and South Korea respectively.
India performed well in the tournament with highest 12 points in pool B but unfortunately it could not maintain its prevalent image of topper in the semi- final.
On the other hand Pakistan has been on the second high position with nine points.
Pakistan won the semi-final by 4-3 against South Korea on the sudden penalty stroke at Guangzhou China. This men’s hockey semi-final match between Pakistan and
South Korea ended 1-1 tie within fixed time of 70 minutes. Salman Akbar goal-keeper of Pakistan team performed his best and prevent the last shoot of a penalty shoot-out against South Korea to lead his team into Asian Games men’s hockey final. This was the
first chance for Pakistan to enter into Asian Games final since 1990.
Pakistan headed towards semi-final of Asian Games by defeating Bangladesh in their last pool match by 6-1. In this match the overall performance of the team
has been out-standing as world record holder, penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas scored two goals for Pakistan, while Shakeel Abbasi and Mohammad Imran also played vital role by scoring two goals each.
In quarter final Pakistan got a defeat from its rival India by 3-2. Match ended in victory of India after a nip and tuck competition.
“It was an even game but India availed of their chances and that is what modern hockey is all about,” said Pakistan’s senior professional and record goal-scorer,
Sohail Abbas.
Malaysia also gave a tough time to India in Asian Games men’s hockey field semi-final by a striking 3-4 win on Tuesday in Guanzhou, China. It was also a hard
competition as both teams struggled hard as both teams hard to thrash each other. Malaysia drew the first blood in the match as a Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin field goal in the 32nd minute. Malaysians were three minutes away from the goal but soon Amin
Rahim’s penalty corner golden strike lead Malaysia to first ever Asian Games final by 4-3 win at Aoti Stadium.
“I am delighted for being a hero for my team. I was under pressure after making a mistake, which resulted in India scoring at the start of the second half
but I am really glad for making up for my blunder with two goals,” said Amin at the Aoti Stadium yesterday.
Malaysia defeated China, silver medalists of 2006 Doha Asian Games by 4-2 in preliminary matches of pool A at Aoti hockey stadium on Sunday night. Mohammad Amin
converted a penalty corner soon after the whistle and gave a lead to its team. China equalized this by its player Liu Yixian who also converted a penalty corner and leveled the score on 13th minute by 1-1. Five minutes later Faizal Sarri put Malyasia
again in front by his field goal.
They stood in the second place in pool A standing after four matches with ten points leveled with its defending Champion South Korea. Korea earned 24 goals in
four matches while Malaysia earned 21 in the four matches.
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