From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eminent sports personalities, the country was wholesome in its praise for the Indian hockey team after it clinched the Asian Champion Trophy by beating arch-rivals Pakistan in the finals at Kuantan, Malaysia on Sunday.
Favourites India prevailed 3-2 over defending champions Pakistan to reclaim the trophy and present a perfect Diwali gift to the nation. This was their second gold medal at the Asian Champions trophy.
A Diwali gift that makes India proud! Here’s to the stupendous efforts of our Hockey Heroes on #Diwali 2016, 30 October! pic.twitter.com/kQYdUFy8sI
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 30, 2016
All hail the QNET #ACT2016 champions – @TheHockeyIndia, who beat Pakistan 3-2 in a thrilling final! #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/zmlcTZFQMh
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 30, 2016
Goals from Rupinder Pal Singh (18th minute), Yousuf Affan (23rd) and Nikkin Thimmaiah (51st) helped India surmount the challenge from Pakistan, who rallied from two goals behind through strikes by Muhammad Aleem Bilal (26th) and Ali Shaan (38th) in the title clash of the fourth edition of tournament.
Here’s how the who’s who of the country reacted to a famous win, starting of course with Twitter superstar Virender Sehwag.
Yesterday Moral of the story :
Maa ki Mamta Jeet aasan bana deti hai.Today Moral of the story :#BaapBaapHotaHai#IndVsPak #NoMaukaMauka pic.twitter.com/MTFhRjJl24
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 30, 2016
Very proud of our hockey team. Congratulations on winning the Asian Champions Trophy. @TheHockeyIndia
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 30, 2016
What a win by the Indian hockey team! @TheHockeyIndia #IndVsPak #AsianChampionsTrophy2016
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 30, 2016
The best Diwali gift ever I can offer ….#champion #asianchampionstrophy2016 @TheHockeyIndia @FIH_Hockey pic.twitter.com/eFgfLeClMe
— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) October 30, 2016
Great win for the Indian hockey team, delightful closing goal to make it 3-2.#INDvPAK
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) October 30, 2016
Congratulations to the Indian Hockey team for defeating Pakistan in the final & winning the #ACT2016 #INDvPAK. @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/jfYCinaxCz
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 30, 2016
Best Diwali gift by @TheHockeyIndia win #championstrophy 🇮🇳
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) October 30, 2016
Champions again! Celebrations begin as the Indian team are Asian champions. Congrats @TheHockeyIndia winning #ACT2016 #INDvPAK #Final
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) October 30, 2016
We’ve got another CHAMPION this #दिवाली – #TeamIndia @TheHockeyIndia wins #ACT2016 #INDvPAK ! Well played boys! pic.twitter.com/FP7dqDngmQ
— Lt. Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) October 30, 2016
Diwali special @TheHockeyIndia 💪💪👏👏👏beating Pakistan in Asian champions final…A Big hug to all my brothers in blue😘🎈🎉 #ProudMoment
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 30, 2016
Sandy Congratulations to @TheHockeyIndia for winning the #AsianChampionsTrophy2016 !#IndVsPak pic.twitter.com/2izlCzl6Xb
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) October 30, 2016
T 2427 … INDIA HOCKEY CHAMPIONS ..!!! Beat Pakistan in Finals ..!! Congratulations .. INDIA BEST .. JAI HIND .. YEEEAAAAHH
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) October 30, 2016
But, perhaps the most heart-warming wish came from the other side of the border — showing sports can go beyond all enmities.
Congratulations India for an amazing final match! It’s always a pleasure to finish a tournament with @TheHockeyIndia! Well deserved 🏆🎉
— Pakistan Hockey (@SalaamHockey) October 30, 2016
With PTI inputs
