Indian hockey team on Sunday thrashed arch rivals Pakistan 3-2 to reclaim the Asian Champions Trophy hockey, presenting a perfect Diwali gift to the nation.
India had beaten Pakistan with the same margin in earlier in the competition.
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.
This was the first time the teams were meeting in the final of a continental tournament since India dethroned Pakistan as the Asian Games champions in Incheon, South Korea in 2014.
As expected, the Twitter users began to hail the national players applauding their efforts in ensuring a great gift on the day of festival of lights.
Here are some of the reactions;
And the hockey team makes it an even more sparkling Diwali. Superb stick work in beating Pakistan 3-2. Way to go…boys in blue. Jai Ho.
— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) October 30, 2016
A wonderful #Diwali gift for the nation. Many congratulations to the #IndianHockeyTeam for beating Pakistan 3-2 to become Asian Champions. pic.twitter.com/Hh9WBmnGLJ
— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) October 30, 2016
Asian Champions Trophy: Indian hockey team defeats Pakistan 3-2 to win title. Rupinder, Affan and Thimmaiah scored for India -great triumph!
— Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) October 30, 2016
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
Kudos to Indian Hockey Team for wonderful Diwali gift to nation by winning Asian Hockey Cup with 3-2 victory over Pak pic.twitter.com/88EUhj8yEq
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) October 30, 2016
Congratulation Indian Team for winning Asian Championship Gold. Let the Hockey stick talks more in the field.
— Mary Kom (@MangteC) October 30, 2016
Congratulations to the champions, the Indian Hockey team..
Perfect Diwali Gift to the Nation!!#INDvPAK— Amarinder Singh Raja (@RajaBrar_INC) October 30, 2016
Nice Diwali gift from Indian hockey team!Well played @16Sreejesh and co.Maintain India should play PAK more often at sport!And keep winning!
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) October 30, 2016
A gift from Indian Hockey team to nation. Congratulations Team India for winning Asian Champions trophy #ACT2016
— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) October 30, 2016