Pakistan Takes Field Hockey Bronze

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by Princess Anne (R), is seen cheering after a goal by Britain against Pakistan during the men’s Group A hockey match at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Riverbank Arena on the Olympic Park in this August 3, 2012 file photograph. Britain’s Prince William and his wife Catherine are expecting a baby, the prince’s office said on December 3, 2012. REUTERS/Luke Macgregor/Files

The Pakistani men’s field hockey team defeated India 3-2 in the 3rd/4th playoff, in the Champions Trophy competition in Melbourne this week to take the bronze medal. This was Pakistan’s first Champions Trophy medal since 2004. And it was the first time that India had gone without a medal in the tournament in thirty years.

“It was a very important match for us because for the past eight years we haven’t won a medal at the Champions Trophy,” said Pakistan’s Shakeel Abbasi. “So for us this is a gold medal because after such a long time between winning medals, but also winning against India, for me and my team and for Pakistan this is a gold medal.”

India dominated the match early and scored first. But Pakistan eventually worked their way back into the game, evening the score with a goal from Muhammad Rizwan. Pakistan continued to control the play after half-time, scoring twice more through Shafqat Rasool and Muhammad Ateeq to set up a commanding lead. India continued to fight until the end, scoring a penalty corner goal through Rupinder Pal Singh at the final buzzer.

Pakistan’s surprising run through the tournament included a 2-0 shutout over Belgium, as well as a 2-1 upset win over Germany in the quarterfinals, before succumbing to Australia in the semifinals.

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