Proudpakistaniguy
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2013
- Messages
- 4,890
- Reaction score
- 5
- Country
- Location
DHAKA: In their last pool match of the Hero Hockey Asia Cup, Pakistan come across their arch-rivals India on Sunday at Dhaka's Maulana Bhashani Hockey Stadium.
India are already through to the Super Four round after two convincing wins. Pakistan were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw by a determined and fast-moving Japanese side.
Japan play Bangladesh in their last match. Pakistan enjoys a +7 goal difference while Japan has - 4.
Hence, Japan needs not only a big win over Bangladesh but also hope for Pakistan's defeat against India by a margin which suits them.
Pakistan are three-time Asia Cup champions Pakistan while India have lifted the cup twice.
It is interesting to note that Pakistan won all the first three editions of the cup in 1982, '85 and '89. While India's victories were achieved in more recent times, in 2003 and 2007
In all of Pakistan's three Asia Cup wins, India were the runners up.
In 1985 and '89, Pakistan defeated their neighbours in the final. The inaugural 1982 competition was played on a single league basis. There also the Green Shirts defeated India in the decisive last match.
India's first win, in 2003, came at Pakistan's expense in the final.
In total, the traditional rivals have met six times in the tournament.
Interestingly, Pakistan has won as many as five times while India's lone win against Pakistan in this event came in 2003. In that edition, they met twice. Pakistan won the pool match 4-2 but lost the final by an identical margin.
The match will air at 4:30pm PST.
