Pakistan regains Asian Games field hockey gold

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Pakistan regains Asian Games field hockey gold


By Rizwan Ali, AP Sports Writer

GUANGZHOU, China — Ace drag flicker Sohail Abbas and veteran Rehan Butt helped Pakistan regain Asian Games field hockey gold after 20 years with a 2-0 victory over Malaysia in the final on Thursday.
Abbas netted a powerful push off 26th-minute short corner while Butt was brilliantly set up by Shafqat Rasool from the right side to place the ball off the second attempt in the 38th.

"With so many bad things happening in Pakistan, like terrorism and floods I think today we have given our countrymen something to smile," Abbas, 35, said.

Malaysian players had shaved their heads to ward off evil spirits in their first Asian Games final. But their penalty corner specialist Amin Rahim could not find the target off the three short corners.

Pakistan's last Asian Games gold came in 1990 at Beijing, and the win here was Pakistan's first major title since winning the World Cup in 1994.

"It's simply out of this world for me and I have no words to describe how much happy all of us are," said jubilant Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf, 33, who stood firm in the defense.

The victory also secured Pakistan a spot at the 2012 London Olympics and Ashraf said that was the other target which was achieved by senior players.

"I think it's now the right time that more juniors should come into the team," he said. "Twenty years is a long gap and it would be jubilation everywhere in Pakistan."

Abbas said he had no intentions to quit and if he stayed fit he would be in London in two years.

"Age is no barrier for a hockey player, fitness is what that counts and who knows if I stay fit I will be there," he said.

Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar threw his helmet and hockey stick in the air soon after the final hooter was blown as Pakistan players rushed and hugged each other.

They even raised their coach Michel van den Heuvel and manager former Olympian Khawaja Junaid on their shoulders and chanted slogans "Pakistan Zindabad (long live)" in unison.

They carried national flags in their hands and also approached a handful of fans at the Aoti Hockey Stadium stand to thank them for their support.

Malaysia's striker Faizal Saari was disappointed with his team's loss, but said it was good to have its first silver in 12 Asian Games after winning six bronze medals.

"We played disappointing game today and of course expectations were high back home after we defeated India in the semifinal," he said.

Earlier, India clinched the bronze, defeating South Korea 1-0 on Tushar Khandker's field goal in the 39th minute.

Pakistan regains Asian Games field hockey gold - USATODAY.com