Pakistan generally known for all the wrong reason finally has something to cheer about. After a disappointing run in the World Cup earlier this year in which they finished last and a 6th place in the Commonwealth Games
held in India, it took a very concerted effort and a fair bit of luck to rise to the occasion and become the Asian Champions. This win also ensures Pakistan a place in the 2012 London Olympics.
It was 20 years ago in China when Pakistan lifted gold in Beijing. This time it was Guangzhou where Pakistan produced a spectacular stick show to win the gold medal with a final score of 2-0, defeating Malaysia. This is the eight
time Pakistan has been crowned Asian Champions. Also with this victory Pakistan ended a 16 year dry run in the major championships.
Pakistan entered the games with modest expectations, not really thinking of a cup victory. The majority of the fans back home were not even bothered to watch their team’s matches and even the media turned a blind eye towards them.
The media declared it a lost cause when Pakistan suffered defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India. Luck was favoring Pakistan this time around though. The men in green won the next match to place a spot in the semi-finals. In the semi-finals played against
Korea, Pakistan surprised everybody with a win, all thanks to the unbelievable efforts of their goal keeper, Salman Akbar who kept Pakistan’s hopes alive. In the other semi-finals, their arch rivals lost to the Malaysian side which was a huge upset even after
a number of players on the Indian side shaved their heads, including Sikh player Baljit Singh as an offering to the gods for good luck. Even after their passage to the finals, critics were reluctant to call it in Pakistan’s favour saying that it might have
to wait for another four years to taste victory.
Legendary Pakistani player Sohail Abbas a.k.a The Goal Machine and Pakistani forward Rehan Butt made sure that Pakistan stay on top throughout the game and bring home the gold. Sohail, the penalty corner specialist scored on a
corner during the 28th minute of the first half putting Pakistan in command. The Pakistan I side maintained the lead till the end of the first half and went into the second half aggressively. Rehan Butt scored in the field attempt in the third minute
of the second half, dashing Malaysia’s hopes of adding another gold medal to their haul.
When the referee blew the final whistle, the Pakistani players knelt and kissed the ground, thanking God. Later on, they lifted their Dutch Coach Michel van den Heuvel on to their shoulders. As the packed stadium erupted in cheers,
one of the commentators announced that the cheers could possibly heard back in Islamabad.
Like the Pakistani Cricket team, the Hockey team also proved that they can make a comeback. Now with Asian Game gold, the team is eyeing Olympic gold, hoping to come out on top at the 2012 London games
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