Champions trophy: Victorious hockey gladiators return home with bronze

Head coach and captain vow to continue hard work, bag more medals in 2014, 2016 tournments.

LAHORE: While it was not a perfect tournament by any means, beating Olympic champions Germany and arch rivals India to win the bronze medal at the Champions Trophy, the Pakistan hockey team returned home on Tuesday evening to a rousing welcome, Express News reported.

Pakistam, who won their first medals at the tournament since 2004, were greeted with fans and roses and the beat of celebratory drums.

The national teams head coach Akhtar Rasool said that they studied their opponents which allowed them to overcome stiff challenges such as Germany and India. He added that if the team keeps working hard they could come back with another haul of medals next time out. “I firmly believe that in 2014 (world cup) and 2016 (champions trophy) medals will be ours.

The national team Captain  Mohammad Imran said that the medals were a golden moment for the country and team and the feat could be repeated under the guidance of their coach and continued hard work of the team.

“We will try to bring Paksitan's golden age back and get medals in the next champions trophy tournament too,“ the captain said as he was led out of the airport atop shoulders of jubilant fans.