India beat Pakistan 3-2 to reclaim Asian Champions Trophy

India succeed 3-2 over arch-rivals Pakistan to re-claim the Asian Champions Trophy hockey, the team presented a perfect Diwali gift to the c...

India succeed 3-2 over arch-rivals Pakistan to re-claim the Asian Champions Trophy hockey, the team presented a perfect Diwali gift to the country.  Goals from Rupinder Pal Singh (18th minute), Yousuf Affan (23rd) and Nikkin Thimmaiah (51st) helped India conquer the challenge from Pakistan, who re-form from two goals behind through strikes by Muhammad Aleem Bilal (26th) and Ali Shaan (38th) in the title collision of the fourth edition of tournament.  This was the first time ever the teams were meeting in the final of a continental tournament since India oust Pakistan as the Asian Games champions in Incheon, South Korea in 2014. India had won the initial edition of the Asian Champions Trophy by defeating Pakistan in the final in 2011. Pakistan reversed the result in the title contest the next year and went on to retain it in 2013 by defeating Japan in the final. World No. 6 India were the favorites going into the tournament, but were without several seasoned players who had been rested to convalesce from injuries.