India vs Pakistan Hockey: A classic blast from the past

India’s Probhjot Singh (L) passes Ali Raza from Pakistan during their Champions Trophy game in Amsterdam, 22 August 2003

I was just going through my twitter (@sunketh) and ran into a classic match that happened in 2003 Champions Trophy in Amsterdam.

The match was an absolute cracker. I remember watching it from the middle of the first half where India were down 1-0 and then the goals started trickling in. By the end of first half, I was absolutely engulfed in the match where India trailed 2-3. The goals from Pakistan were mind blowing, with one from their star drag-flicker Rehan Butt, and remaining were absolute stunners. India’s goals came from the rising star drag-flicker Jugraj Singh, who was fast brewing a legendary rivalry with Butt.

The second half sealed the match. Pakistan quickly scored another, making it 4-2 in their favor. This looked fast heading in Pak’s way when suddenly goals started flowing in and I still remember my younger self, jumping up and down when it became 5-4, then 6-4 and in dying minutes, 7-4! This, my friends, was the most awesome match in Indian Hockey in a long time.

Here is a video of the match: