NEW DELHI, Sept 28: India erupted in joy after their men’s hockey team claimed the Asia Cup title in Kuala Lumpur.

“It is a wonderful performance,” gushed former chief coach Maharaj Kaushik while former captain Zafar Iqbal hailed the team’s return to attacking hockey after unsuccessfully trying to adapt to the positional play of European rivals.

All major television channels interrupted their regular programmes to announce the victory with interviews from experts.

Former winners Pakistan, who beat India 4-2 in the group stage, scored twice through penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas while Kanwalpreet Singh and Gagan Ajit Singh also converted penalty corners to keep the teams level at half-time.

But India scored two field goals in the dying minutes through Ignace Tirkey and Prabhjot Singh to earn their maiden victory in the event for an automatic berth in the 2006 World Cup.

Cricket and hockey matches between the two neighbours raises passions in both countries owing to long-standing political tensions over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.—Reuters