India lose 4-5 to Pak in Asian Champions final

December 28, 2012 00:52

India ended the year on a sordid note as they failed to defend their title, losing 4-5 to arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-scoring final of the second Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament Doha on Thursday.

Sans experienced players, a young Indian outfit put up a brave fight before surrendering before their much-experienced opponents, whom they had defeated 2-1 in the round robin stages of the tournament.

It was a neck-and-neck battle between the two sub-continent hockey giants as both the teams scored goals at will before Pakistan used their experience to good effect to emerge as the winners.

By virtue of this win, Pakistan have avenged upon their loss at the hands of India in the title clash of the inaugural edition of the event last year in Ordos, China.

Muhammad Waqas (7th minute, 57th) and Mohammad Imran (48th, 64th) scored a brace each for Pakistan while Shafqat Rasool (42nd) sounded the board once.

For India S V Sunil (9th), vice-captain V R Raguunath (21st), Gurvinder Singh Chandi (55th) and Rupinder Pal Singh (59th) scored a goal each.

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