Mumbai: It was late in the game, the scores were tied 2-2 as India and Pakistan battled it out in the final of the Asian Champions trophy men’s hockey tournament in Malaysia last month. With nine minutes left for the final whistle, Nikkin Thimmaiah’s rasping winner helped India lift their second Asian Champions Trophy in five years and thus assert their supremacy at the Asian level.
The victory came in the backdrop of the growing political tension between the nations. Thimmaiah says the team were committed to win the final. “It was a great moment for me to score the winning goal so late,” Thimmaiah told this paper here on Monday.
“We had played them in the group stage as well, which was a tough game. We were focused. The game took place when the relationship between the two nations were not at their best.”
Thimmaiah said the win was a gift to Indian soldiers.
“We wanted to give a gift to Indian soldiers and we had decided that we have to win this game for our country. We stuck to the instructions given by the coach,” the young striker said.
India, who are currently sixth in world ranking, are now eyeing a jump with continuous good results.
“We recently were in Australia, where we played good hockey. We will have the opportunity to compete with the best players in the 2017 Hockey India League. We want to use all the experience to jump up in the rankings.”
Nikkin missed the HIL earlier this year with a shoulder injury. The forward, who was expected to lead the Dabang Mumbai franchise last season, is excited to be back with the team.
