The last time India played Pakistan in an Asian Games hockey final 32 years ago (in 1982), the hosts were hammered 1-7 in New Delhi and the then goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi was blamed for the defeat. Yesterday, at the Incheon Asian Games final between the same nations, India beat Pakistan 4-2 via the shootout and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh emerged as the hero effecting two brilliant saves in the tiebreaker.


Mir Ranjan Negi 

It is a well-documented fact that Negi was ostracised after the 1982 defeat before returning 16 years later as India's goalkeeping coach to help the team win the Asiad gold in 1998 in Bangkok where they beat South Korea in the final. The story formed the script of the 2007 Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Bollywood superhit Chak De India.
Sweeter win than '98 Yesterday's win over arch-rivals Pakistan tasted a lot sweeter, said Negi.