Asian games: Pakistan win back hockey gold after 20 years

Fired-up Pakistan annexed the Asian Games men's hockey gold medal after 20 years with a convincing 2-0 win over Malaysia in the final on Thursday.

In pic: Pakistan celebrates their first goal against Malaysia

Veteran Sohail Abbas put Pakistan ahead with his team's first penalty corner in the 26th minute, before striker Rehan Butt increased the margin three minutes after half-time.

It was Pakistan's eighth Asiad hockey gold, ending a drought that stretched back to Beijing in 1990, and handed them their first major title since winning the World Cup in Sydney in 1994.

Pakistan ended the year on a high after a disappointing eight-month period in which they finished a humiliating 12th out of 12 at the World Cup in March and took sixth place at the Commonwealth Games in October.

The Pakistanis kneeled in prayer after the final whistle, before lifting their Dutch coach Michel van den Heuvel over their shoulders to loud applause from the stands.

Malaysia, often dubbed the sport's perennial under-achievers, had to settle for silver in their maiden appearance in the title clash after winning the bronze medal six times.

The entire Malaysian team, barring Sikh player Baljit Singh, shaved their heads in a practice called 'nazar' to ward off evil spirits in the final, but failed to produce the spark that won them the semi-final against India.

Amin Rahim, whose two late goals sank India, faltered in all three penalty corners his team earned in the second half.

Malaysia had gone into the final as the only unbeaten team in the competition with four wins and a draw.

Meanwhile, India returned to the Asiad podium after missing out in Doha four years ago when they defeated favourites South Korea 1-0 in the bronze medal play-off.

Tushar Khandekar netted the winner four minutes into the second session as India dominated the lacklustre Koreans through the 70-minute encounter.

India had not won an Asiad hockey medal for the first time in Doha and paid the price when they failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics two years ago.

The Indian players were involved in a heated argument with Pakistani umpire Haider Rasool over a disputed penalty corner in the second half, which the South Koreans ultimately wasted.

India's Spanish coach Jose Brasa, whose contract is up for renewel after this match, said the bronze medal was not a just reward for his team.

"I think we were the best side in the competition, winning five of our six matches," said Brasa. "I can't say I am happy, but at least the boys will not return home empty-handed."

India, who won all their four league matches, were knocked out by a Malaysian golden goal in the semi-final.

South Korea, winners at the last two editions in Busan and Doha, were denied a hat-trick when they lost to Pakistan in a penalty shoot-out in the other semi-final.

The last time the Koreans finished fourth was in Beijing in 1990.

Asian Games: India's hockey coach quits after semi-final loss

Indian men's hockey team national coach Harendra Singh on Tuesday resigned from his post after his side crashed out of the Asian Games final with a 3-4 defeat by Malaysia in the second semifinal in Guangzhou, China.

In pic: Malaysia celebrates semi-final win

India's hopes of a gold medal and a direct berth in the 2012 London Olympics were dashed by a spirited Malaysia, who rode on Muhammad Amin Rahim's 75th minute golden goal to progress to their maiden title clash, where they will meet seven-time champions Pakistan, on Thursday.

Soon after the unexpected loss, Harendra tendered his resignation to Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra taking full responsibility of the team's disastrous showing in the semifinal.

"Keeping in view of the dismal performance of the men's hockey team in the semifinal match against Malaysia today, I hereby tender my resignation as the national coach of the men's hockey team with immediate effect," he wrote in his resignation letter to Batra.

"I accept the moral responsibility for the debacle at the 16the Asian Games," Harendra added.

In his resignation letter, he also thanked the HI and various government bodies apart from the players and his colleagues for their support during his association with the national team.

"I am grateful to Hockey India, Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India and Sports Authority of India for all the support and encouragement I received during my tenure as a national coach.

"I am thankful to all the officials of the said organisations for giving me this wonderful opportunity to serve for the country. I would also convey my gratitude for the kind of unconditional support I received from my countrymen as well as well wishers form various countries during the said appointment," he wrote.

"I would also like to put on record the support I received from the members of the media. I would fail in my duty If I do not convey my sincere thanks to all my players and support staffs who stood by me in each and every occasion during this eventful tenure. I wish all the luck to the Indian men's hockey team for the future," Harendra signed off.

However, Batra said, in no way, the federation would accept Harendra's resignation at this crucial juncture and had asked him to continue with the job.

"I had received his mail and also talked with him over phone. I told him that it is not right to be emotional. We have a bronze medal match to play and I asked him to concentrate on that match," Batra told.

"It is good that he has taken moral responsibility but it is not the right time to take this step. All this can be sorted out after returning to India. I asked him to be with the team and work together so that we can return with the bronze medal," he added.

Asian Games hockey: Malaysia beats India 4-3

Guangzhou, Nov 23: Indian hockey team lost to Malaysia in the semi finals of men's hockey event in Asian Games 2010 on Tuesday, Nov 23.

Malaysia defeated India 4-3 through a golden goal after both sides were tied 3-3 at the end of regulation time. Malaysia will meet Pakistan in the finals.

Malaysian striker Amin Rahim scored a penalty corner goal in the 75th-minute and the golden goal to cruise the country for the title match.

"They had good penalty corner variations and hit two short corners from different angles," India captain Rajpal Singh said.

India will meet South Korea for bronze on Thursday, Nov 25

Asian games: Pakistan Hockey makes it to Asian Games Finals after 20 Years

Pakistan hockey team made it to the finals of the Asian Games after a lapse of 20 years – the last time they did so was also in China in 1990 – with goalkeeper Salman Akbar the hero of the day for saving the last South Korean strike in the semi-finals shootout.
Pakistan will ow play Malaysia in the Finals.

This was a major upset for the South Koreans who won the Asian gold in both the last two games. It was also a meaningful victory for Pakistan because for many observers the ‘fall’ of Pakistan hockey had become visible at around the same time that the rise of the South Koreans had become evident – at the Seoul Asian Games on 1986, where favorites Pakistan had lost and underdogs South Korea had emerged triumphant. Pakistan had then regained the title in the 1990 Beijing Olympics – twenty years ago.
Pakistan will now face Malaysia in the Finals – another upset since India was considered the favorites but lost to Malaysia in their semi-finals game.

Asian Games: Saina reaches quarterfinals of women's badminton

Guangzhou, Nov 17 (PTI)

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal cruised into the second round of the women's singles at the Asian Games after steamrolling Lydia Cheah of Malaysia in the the second round here today. The world number three Indian needed just 28 minutes to see off Lydia 21-15 21-17. She will next take on the winner between Yip Pui Yin of Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei's Ma Hsiao Pai in the quarterfinals tomorrow. The second seed Indian held her serve for most of the time and scored points through her smashes in the first game. She was also better at the net. Saina opened up a 6-1 lead swiftly but Lydia narrowed the gap to 10-12. But the Indian was not bothered much and pocketed the first game easily. In the next game, Saina again raced to a comfortable 6-1 lead before moving to 20-11 but the Indian squandered six match points before closing the match.

Steamrolling Lydia Cheah of Malaysia in the the second round here today. The world number three Indian needed just 28 minutes to see off Lydia 21-15 21-17. She will next take on the winner between Yip Pui Yin of Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei's Ma Hsiao Pai in the quarterfinals tomorrow. The second seed Indian held her serve for most of the time and scored points through her smashes in the first game. She was also better at the net. Saina opened up a 6-1 lead swiftly but Lydia narrowed the gap to 10-12. But the Indian was not bothered much and pocketed the first game easily. In the next game, Saina again raced to a comfortable 6-1 lead before moving to 20-11 but the Indian squandered six match points before closing the match.