

Most of them may not have been born when India defeated Pakistan in Asian Games last to lift a Gold medal. And, world hockey may have moved away from the sub-continental giants of yore but an India-Pakistan Final on the big stage still holds sway over every other moment in every other sport. Beating arch rivals Pakistan in a big game is not just an aspirational dream for the men in blue, but also a way to find confidence and self-belief which has been lying tattered for many decades. So the sheer jump of joy you see in India’s mid fielder Khabangbam Kothajit Singh’s face after he equalised with Pakistan (1) is a moment that will be remembered for long. Just like the joy on the faces of the fans (3) seeing the Tricolour tower over all other flags (6). Though trailing by one goal initially, the Indians fought back hard and sat heavy on Pakistan (5). Goalie Sreejesh earned the title of being the man of the moment by saving 2 Pakistani shots at the goal during the shootout (2) to give his teammates the reason to take a victory round of the stadium with the Indian flag on their proud shoulders (4)