Delighted to achieve historic treble in India: Irfan

Pakistan Whites captain ecstatic to complete hat-trick of titles in arch-rival’s backyard.

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey’s A team skipper Mohammad Irfan termed the 1-0 win over India in the hockey final of the South Asian Games ‘historic’ after completing a treble of titles in the regional event.

Pakistan had entered the Games as two-time defending champions, having won the title in the previous two editions in 2010 and 2006, and Irfan was ecstatic at achieving this milestone in their arch-rival’s own backyard.

“This is a historic win as we completed a hat-trick of titles,” said Irfan. “Achieving this great milestone against India, in India, made it even more special.”



Pakistan’s Awaisur Rehman scored the only goal of the match just before half-time to give Pakistan the win and the forward said it was ‘like a dream come true’ for him.

“I am really happy and it is like a dream come true to score the winner in the final against India,” said Rehman. “The team made the move. I was just lucky to be there.”

India desperately tried to equalise in the dying minutes and came close many times but Pakistan managed to keep them out, and goalkeeper Imran Butt had nothing but praise for his defenders.

“India played a better game than the previous match [in the group stages],” said Imran. “Their attack was good but our defenders were outstanding. I managed to save six shots, including two penalty corners because of the confidence they gave me.”

Other result

Pakistani athletes claimed a gold, four silver and two bronze medals on the eight day of the Games to take the medal tally to 81 — nine gold, 27 silver and 49 bronze — on Saturday.

Taekwondo athlete Yasmeen Maryam Khan claimed gold, while shooters Kaleemullah, Kaleemullah Khan and Akhtar Mohammad Shehzad claimed silver.

Meanwhile in boxing, Pakistan confirmed six bronze medals as Mohibullah Khan, Tanveer Ahmed, Syed Asif, Ahmed Ali, Sofia Jawed and Rukhsana reached the semi-finals of their respective weight categories.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2016.

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