Games Special; Medals Table; Photos
Both teams fought hard and the score stood at 1-1 after 60 minutes of regulation play. Then, the evenly-contested final match was decided via the penalty shootout where India prevailed over their neighbours. India had lost to Pakistan 1-2 in the league stage.
In a fast-paced game, Pakistan scored early, in the 3rd minute, when Muhammad Rizwan SR went past the Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. After trailing 0-1 in the first quarter of 15 minutes, India bounced back with sustained attacks in the second quarter which they completely dominated.
India found the target in the 27th minute through Kothajit Singh. At half-time, both teams were locked at 1-1. However, despite several attempts, the players were unable to score and the 60 minutes of regulation time ended at 1-1.
In the penalty shootout, India took the first shot and scored through Akashdeep Singh. Rupinderpal Singh, Birender Lakra and Dharamvir Singh were the other 3 scorers for India.
Pakistan failed in their opening attempt with Sreejesh pulling off a good save. India was thwarted once (Manpreet Singh's shot) by Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Butt but Pakistan missed two (Abdul Haseem Khan and Muhammad Umar Bhutta). For Pakistan, Muhammad Waqas and Shafqat Rasool scored.
With 3-2 lead, Dharamvir Singh took the fifth and final shot for India and converted, triggering celebrations for the players and fans.
India last won hockey gold at Asian Games in 1998 under the captaincy of Dhanraj Pillay in Bangkok.
The win also gave India a direct entry to 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
FINAL RESULT
India beat Pakistan 4-2 in penalty shootout (1-1 after regulation time of 60 minutes)
Penalty Shootout
Scorers - India (Akashdeep Singh, Rupinderpal Singh, Birender Lakra, Dharamvir Singh); Pakistan (Muhammad Waqas, Shafqat Rasool)
Missed - India (Manpreet Singh); Pakistan (Abdul Haseem Khan and Muhammad Umar Bhutta)
Regulation time - India 1 (Kothajit Singh 27th minute) Pakistan 1 (Muhammad Rizwan SR 3)
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