In hockey, it was ‘Chak Dey’ moment for the defending champion India as the team lifted the trophy for the 6th time by defeating Japan 4-1 in the finals of 9th Hero Asian Hockey Championship at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali, last evening. Akashvani Correspondent reports that the jubilant crowd and the Nation celebrated the win as a Diwali gift by the hockey boys ahead of the festival.
Although this was India’s third successive title, the winning team had to earn it against a strong defence by the rival team. An early lead by the Samurais kept the Indian Tigers on the toes till the end of the 3rd quarter, when they equalised the goal. The fourth and last quarter was dominated by India as the boys striked thrice to take an unassailable lead and won the Gold. India’s title-winning run was a perfect farewell to midfielder Nilakanta Sharma, who played his last international match in the national jersey. In another match for Bronze, Malaysia defeated South Korea by 5-2 .
Celebrating India’s title win, Hockey India has announced a cash reward of Rs. 3 lakhs for each player and 1.5 lakhs for each member of the support staff.
