India clinch 4th Men's Asian Champions Trophy

KUALA LUMPUR: India defeated defending champions Pakistan in 4^th Asian Hockey Championship final on Sunday by 3-2 in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Both the teams entered into fourth quarter with 2-2 goals. However, within few last minutes of the game India scored the winning goal to claim the match at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan.

In one of the most ‘unkind circumstances’ fans here have witnessed, both nations qualified for the final in penalty shootouts. The Indians ended Korea’s run 5-4 in the semi-finals shootouts after a 2-2 draw and Pakistan triumphed 3-2 over Malaysia following a 1-1 draw in regulations time.

It was Pakistan’s second encounter with the Indians, earlier they defeated Pakistan 3-2 in a pool match in the week.

India qualified for the final of Asian Champions Trophy for the third time in history. They won the inaugural 2011 edition in Ordos, China, beating Pakistan 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 score in regulation time, but lost to the Pakistanis in the Doha 2012 final 5-4 on penalties.

On the other hand, China defeated Japan 4-3 to finish fifth place, improving on their 2012 and 2013 positions where the finished fourth.