42 Years back on 15th March 1975, the Indian Men Hockey team accomplished a historic feat against Pakistan in the Finals of the 1975 Hockey World Cup wherein they beat the opponents 2-1 to earn the title of ‘Champions’.
India won the Hockey World Cup for the first time in 1975, the third edition of Hockey World Cup held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
It was a moment of pride that day and it is a moment of pride for every Indian today. Remembering the occasion and the achievement, Sports Social congratulates the team who made this possible.
The team was placed in Group B of the tournament where they played against West Germany, Australia, England, Argentina, and Ghana. Winning 3 matches, losing 1 and drawing 1 in the pool phase, India advanced to the semi-finals to play against Malaysia wherein they beat them 3-2. They had a close contest against Pakistan in the Finals and it was Ashok Kumar the all-important winning goal helping India win the title that year.
The much neglected Aslam Sher Khan saved the day for the Indians in the semi-final against the massively supported Malaysians. Then came the hour of reckoning - the showdown for the World Cup with none other than the traditional rival Pakistan.
In the final, the peerless pivot and skipper Ajit Pal Singh, and the incomparable schemer Ashok Kumar turned the tide for India. Surjeet Singh slammed in a penalty corner for the desperately sought equalizer, while the enormously gifted son of Hockey Wizard Dhyan Chand scored the World Cup-winning goal.
Indian squad: Leslie Fernandez, Ashok Diwan, Surjit Singh, Michael Kindo, Aslam Sher Khan, Varinder Singh, Onkar Singh, Mohinder Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar, B. P. Govinda, Harcharan Singh, Harjinder Singh, Vadivelu Phillips, Shivaji Pawar, BP Kaliah
It was probably Indian hockey's finest hour. India had conquered the World.
Final Match India vs Pakistan, Hockey World Cup 1975:
