KARACHI, Nov 18: Pakistan have dominated the Asian Games hockey scene, capturing seven out of possible 12 golds besides winning two silvers and as many bronze in the 44-year history of the regional competition. Hockey, it may be recalled, became a medal sport in the third edition at Tokyo in 1958.

The Asian Games hockey competition remained a two-horse race between Pakistan and India right from the word go until 1986 when South Korea emerged as a strong powerhouse winning three titles in a span of 16 years.

Pakistan entered the inaugural Asian Games hockey tournament at Tokyo in 1958 on a happy note landing the gold medal under the captainship of Abdul Hamid ‘Hamidi’.

The green shirts successfully retained the title four years later at Jakarta with former PHF secretary, M. H. Atif as captain. Pakistan inflicted 2-0 defeat on arch rivals India in the final.

However, India salvaged some pride interrupting Pakistan’s winning streak with a solitary goal win at Bangkok. Pakistan was led by Munir Dar.

Captained by Khalid Mahmood, Pakistan won their third hockey gold when they managed to overcome fighting India by lone goal in 1970. The venue was again the same Bangkok.

Since then, there was no stopping as Pakistan added three more titles to their tally – 1974 at Tehran under Abdul Rashid, 1978 at Bangkok under Islahuddin and 1982 at Delhi under Samiullah. The scoreline at Tehran was 2-0, Bangkok 1-0 and Delhi 7-1.

The Delhi triumph before a partisan crowd was part of Pakistan’s Grand Slam which began with World Cup victory at Buenos Aires in 1978 and culminated at Los Angeles in 1984 where the team crowned Olympic champion.The Pakistan – India domination came to a halt when South Korea dethroned the former handing a 2-1 defeat to win their maiden title at home in 1986.

Beijing proved to be a happy hunting ground for Pakistan as the team bounced back with vigour taking their gold medal tally to seven inflicting 3-2 defeat on India. Unfortunately that proved to be the last win so far as 16 years has gone by.

At the Hiroshima Games four years later, Pakistan for the first time, slipped to bronze medal as South Korea won their second gold.

Pakistan’s position remained unchanged at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games as India climbed on top of the ladder for the second time.

To the sheer surprise for fraternity of the game, Pakistan for the first time returned without a medal from the last Asiad held in the Korean city of Busan.

Taking advantage of home conditions, South Korea picked up third title pushing holders India to second slot by handing 4-3 defeat. Pakistan was beaten by Malaysia 3-5 on penalty shootout after playing 1-1 in regulation time. Earlier, Pakistan went down 3-4 to India in semis.

In the aftermath of dismal show at Monchengladbach World Cup in Sept, it won’t be easy going for Pakistan to regain lost pride. Pakistan slipped to sixth position – two steps below South Korea in the German city.—A.Z

Final medals position

Year Venue G S B

1958 Tokyo Pakistan India South Korea

1962 Jakarta Pakistan India Malaysia

1966 Bangkok India Pakistan Japan

1970 Bangkok Pakistan India Japan

1974 Tehran Pakistan India Malaysia

1978 Bangkok Pakistan India Malaysia

1982 Delhi Pakistan India Malaysia

1986 Seoul S Korea Pakistan India

1990 Beijing Pakistan India Malaysia

1994 Hiroshima S Korea India Pakistan

1998 Bangkok India S Korea Pakistan

2002 Busan S Korea India Malaysia