Match: India Vs Pakistan

Match: India Vs Pakistan
Venue: Wagener Stadium, in Amstelveen
Tournament: Champions Trophy (2003)

India-Pakistan matches are always special and this one was no different. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric and there was immense pressure on both sides to perform. India had to play only for pride, while Pakistan had to win to book a place in the final. By the 20th minute, Pakistan had taken control of the game and were leading by 2-0.

India narrowed the margin when Jugraj Singh scored in the 24th minute, but the Pakistanis made it 3-1 soon. A minute from the half time, Jugraj Singh brought India back into the match off India''s third penalty corner.

However, Pakistan entered the field after the break with more determination and within seven minutes they increased their tally when Sohail Abbas scored with a low flick.

But people who had written off India at the juncture were in for a surprise. In the 51st minute, a swift counterattack from a long clearance saw India make it 3-4. Deepak Thakur was the man who scored a laid out ball from Baljit Singh Dhillon. And that goal inspired the Indians into a frenzied attacking spell.

I leveled the score by scoring in the 55th minute by an opportunity created by Deepak.Within five minutes, we scored three more goals, Gagan Ajit Singh getting one of those goals in the 61st minute with unbelievable reverse hit, and Deepak Thakur rounding off the tally in the 65th.

So from being down 2-4 to scoring four goals in last fifteen minutes, it was incredible victory for all of us which we all will remember throughout our lives.

Prabhjot Singh
Olympian & Arjuna Awardee