Pakistan generally known for all the wrong rea son 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 eighth 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 South Korea, Pakistan surprised everybody with a win, all thanks to the unbelievable efforts of their goalkeeper, 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.
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