Finally after 28 years, India break Pak jinx

Ignace Tirkey played the game of his life as India thrashed bitter rivals Pakistan 4-2 in a nerve-wracking final to win their first ever Asi...

Ignace Tirkey played the game of his life as India thrashed bitter rivals Pakistan 4-2 in a nerve-wracking final to win their first ever Asia Cup title and a berth in the 2006 World Cup here today.

With the teams locked 2-2 and the match appearing to be headed towards extra time with just one minute 27 seconds left on the clock, Ignace did a houdini act to score off a solo dribble on receiving a pass from Baljeet Singh Saini.

The drama was not over as yet as India capped their superb show with another goal by Prabhjot Singh 14 seconds from the hooter.

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The victory helped India settle more than one score as they were defeated by Pakistan by the same margin in the league match earlier in the tournament. India also avenged their defeat in the bronze medal play-off in the Champions Trophy last month as well as their 2-0 thrashing in the 1989 edition at New Delhi, the last time the arch-rivals met in the final of Asia Cup.

The victory, which put paid to Pakistan’s aspirations to win their fourth Asia Cup title after they won it last in New Delhi, was especially sweet for India as they had finished bridesmaid on four occasions earlier, being forced to be content with the runners-up title.

Playing their first major tournament without their drag-flick ace Jugraj Singh, India opened their account in the sixth minute when Kanwalpreet Singh converted their first penalty corner. For Pakistan, penalty corner expert Sohail Abbas scored both the goals in the first half in the 7th and 12th minute.

Undoubtedly, it was India who dominated their continental rivals for the greater part of the game, dishing out an excellent fare and outplaying Pakistan constantly.

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Ignace, declared the man-of-the-match, played like a man possessed, dribbling with great skill and accuracy. His set pieces and tackling left rival defenders in a daze and they struggled to keep up with his pace, making mistakes in collecting the ball and indulging in wayward passes.

There was a collective gasp from the spectators as Ignace scored India’s third goal to seal the fate of Pakistan as there was less than two minutes left on the clock.

There was some consolation for Pakistan though as they earned the Fair Play Award and their highest goal scorer ever Sohail being named the Player-of-the-tournament.

India’s upcoming forward Sandeep Michael was adjudged the Most Promising Player of the tournament which saw India lose just one of their matches in what proved to be a superb outing for the Asian Games silver medallists. (PTI)

‘I told them to bring the cup for me’

Manish Kumar
New Delhi, September 28

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The injured Indian star Jugraj Singh might have missed the on-field action during the Asia Cup but he certainly didn’t miss the off-field adulation. As Jugraj checked in at a hospital here for specialised treatment on the day India broke the Pakistan jinx, the media camped outside his ward waiting for his reaction on the historic triumph.

And the man, who just months before his road mishap played a big role in India’s 7-4 win over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, couldn’t hide his emotions as he watched his mates on television repeating the feat at Kuala Lumpur.

Talking to The Indian Express, just before leaving for an X-ray, he said, ‘‘I spoke to the boys quite regularly during the entire tournament and told them that get the Cup in order to make me happy.’’

Even before the final today, Jugraj had a small talk with the players and coach. ‘‘I spoke to them and said victory should be the only thing on their mind,’’ said the drag-flick specialist.

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And those sentiments were echoed in KL, where India’s ace striker Gagan Ajit Singh didn’t forget his injured friend in the moment of triumph. ‘‘He may not be with us right now physically but he is part of the team. I dedicate this title to dear Jugraj’’

Meanwhile Jugraj is expected to go to US for physiotherapy.