#9 Asia Games 1966
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In the 1966 Asia Games in Bangkok, Thailand, India had sent an inexperienced team banking on youth. The eight countries were divided into two groups and India were in the tougher group along with 1962 Asiad bronze medalists, Malaysia, South Korea and Sri Lanka (Ceylon, as they were known back then). Pakistan qualified for the finals convincingly beating Hong Kong, Thailand and Japan and were favourites to win the gold medal.
India joined their bitter neighbours in the final after beating Malaysia, Sri Lanka and South Korea, The much-hyped final was always a battle of attrition with Pakistan. Those were the days when the two neighbouring countries clashed in only International tournaments, and the Indians were looking to repeat their 1964 Olympics win.
India played a major part of the match with 10 men as substitutions were not allowed at that time but still managed to hold their own and took the contest to extra time.
A limping Balbir Singh joined the action in the second half of extra time and fortuitously scored the match winner and became an instant hero.
