|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 7 April 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Pakistan clinch Soccer Gold by edging out India Bernard Perera reporting from Pakistan Islamabad,Tuesday - The host country Pakistan clinched the 9th SAF Games soccer gold medal on Monday night beating India one goal to nil at the Jinnah Main stadium. The Indians who beat Pakistanis in a preliminary round game also from the same margin were the favourites to win the final. Pakistan started the game in great style making many good moves towards the opponents goal area but missed a few scoring opportunities and had to fight all the way. The Indians at that stage commenced their tactics to forge ahead but their attempts too were futile. Twenty nine minutes in to the first half Pakistanis drew first blood through a goal coming from the boot of Abdul Aziz. The Indians went on the attack hoping for the equaliser but all their attempts were thwarted by the Pakistani defence and they returned to the dressing room with hosts leading 1-0. Sri Lanka wins bronze The second session was more keener than the first with Pakistan trying to extend their lead while, the Indians were on the look out for the equaliser, none of them succeeded in their attempts and the match ended in favour of the hosts 1-0. Sri Lanka who have never won a medal for soccer at SAF level achieved success on Tuesday when they defeated Bhutan to take the bronze medal at the Jinnah stadium. Sri Lanka who lost the semi-final on Saurday to Pakistan in a penalty shoot-out, had to face the same situation in the play off match for the third place. The first half was evenly contested by both sides for forty five minutes. During this session it was Sri Lanka which held the advantage. But they could not score as the strikers could not give the finishing touches to the good balls they received from the mid fielders. This resulted in a set back for Lankans,in this half. Half time 0 - 0. After the return into the second session it was Lankans who were in the box seat with top class soccer being dished out. Bhutan too showed their capabilities by responding effectively to Lankan's style of play. Both sides were keen on playing quality soccer with the intention of puling off a win here. Bhutan who made it to semis through a toss of a coin with Nepal after losing to Sri Lanka in the preliminary round game displayed all their skills. The second session too failed to produce any goals and the referee had to go for extra time of thirty minutes. Extra half hour too was same as the first halves. At this stage the only option the referee had was to introduce the penalty shoot out to decide the winner of this exciting game which the players had to sweat out for over two hours. Sri Lanka seored three out of five kicks. It was the day of Sri Lankan custodian Momhaned Ansar who really saved his team from defeat. He was outstanding between the posts for his side saving two of the penalty kicks taken by opposing Bhutanese positioning himself very intelligently. Here in Islamabad the spectators are of the view that it is Lanka's national team according to standard of play displayed by them. It being the second string Lankans are sure to further improve on standards. The coaches deserve full credit for part played by them in grooming a young side to match the standard of the Asin region. Earlier the practice was to depend on foreign coaches to bring in results in which we failed to a certain extent. This championship has proved beyond doubt that local coaches too have the talent and the know how to serve the country in a great way towards the improvement of soccer in Sri Lanka. All spectators saw a thrilling game of soccer in this final. Most of the foreign officials highly praised the standard of the Lankans, saying that it was Sri Lanka's match, but Bhutanis came up with a fight. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
