Hockey: Dream of Gold Medal ended for Pakistan in Asian Games 2018

JAKARTA: India beat Pakistan by 2 against 1 in the decisive match. it was for the third position in the field hockey tournament of the Asian Games 2018.

The traditional rivals contested for the bronze medal. India’s Akash Deep scored a goal against Pakistan at the beginning of the hockey match.

Pakistan unleashed successive attacks against the arch-rivals in the second and third quarters of the game. But failed to score a goal.

Harmanpreet Singh doubled the advantage in the 50th minute off a penalty corner.

However, Muhammad Ateeq reduced the margin in the 52nd minute from a counter-attack. But then the Pakistan team could not end the Indians lead and came out of the tournament empty-handed.

The hockey team’s run in the Indonesian capital had fuelled hopes. They expected that Pakistan would clinch a record-extending ninth Asian Games gold medal.

Pakistan was stunned 1-0 by a disciplined Japan in their semi-final on Thursday, with Shota Yamada scoring the decisive goal with a penalty corner conversion in the 18th minute.

Pakistan was expected to clash with India in a classic final but after seeing their arch-rivals, the defending champions, ousted by Malaysia 7-6 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw, Pakistan produced an insipid performance against the Japanese and registered just four shots on goal.
Japan had been thrashed 8-0 by India in the group stage where Pakistan had humbled Malaysia 4-1.

In a tight opening, it was Japan who asked all the questions and broke the deadlock when Yamada converted. Ali Shan had come closest to scoring for Pakistan before Yamada’s goal, but his shot went just over.

Japan’s goal came after they began attacking Pakistan from the wings at the start of the second quarter and they neutralized Pakistan completely.

Of the few chances Pakistan created, they were never really able to test Japan goalkeeper Yusuke Tanako.

The dream for gold in hockey in Asian Games 2018 ended for Pakistan.