Bronze to save the Day

Two days earlier when the Pakistan Hockey team showed a dismal performance at the Doha Asian Games 2006 in their semi final match with China to loose in the sudden death extra-time 2-1 (Doha 2006 PAK-CHN Score Card) it was like a nail driven into the aching heart of an old Hockey fan like myself. Pakistan had nine penalty corners and were unable to convert any while China produced goals in both the penalties it pulled out and drove in the winning goal in the second penalty corner of the sudden death extra-time to qualify for the finals, which it sadly lost to Korea with a score of 3-1 (Doha 2006 KOR-CHN score card).

This was the fourth time that Pakistan could not make it into the Asian Games final and additionally the loss meant that it was essential to win the bronze medal match to secure a place in the 2008 Olympic games. Today’s match Pakistan was able to pull out a winner against Japan beating them 4-2 (Doha 2006 PAK-JPN Score Card) and with a heavy sigh I celebrate a secured entry into the Olympic games. Much needs to be done to revamp this team, specially the penalty corner unit which seemed out of sync in the Semi-Final match maybe a moratorium on any competition so that the team could keep their heads down to come close to becoming a better gelled unit otherwise they can continue on their poor performance forever more.

In other entertainment news from Doha, Pakistan lost to India 35-22 (Doha 2006 PAK-IND Score Card) in the Kabaddi finals to end up with a silver.

Pakistan is walking away with one silver & three bronze medals YIPPEE !! Standing at an embarrassing 30th on the medals list, *frown*

Related Links – Pakistaniat, Silsila-e-Mah-o-Saal & To Each its Own (Kabaddi Celebrations in India)