By S.Thyagarajan

DHAKA, MARCH 20. It came like a symphony, almost synchronising with the flowing fragrance of victory that the nation is experiencing after the momentous cricket win in Kolkata and from glorious hour for badminton ace, Gopichand, when India added the Prime Minister's Hockey Gold Cup to the joyous mood as twilight engulfed the Moulana Bashani Stadium here today. In what will go into the annals as a remarkable encounter, India triumphed over Pakistan in a pulsating tie-breaker which ended with Daljit Singh Dhillon flicking the ball to the roof of the net for a 3-2 score after being deadlocked 3-3 at the end of the regulation time.

What a match it turned out to be for the large gathering! India came into the fight three minutes before the regulation time with a stunning penalty corner rebound by Dilip Tirkey for a 3-3 score. And in the tie-breaker, Jude Menezes was confidence personified when dived to the right saved a push from Sarwar.

Emotion overwhelms one from objective assessment of a combat that will remained etched on the mind for year's to come. ``I am too emotional to say anything now,'' Cedric said his voice choking. Not after the SAF Games gold medal in Chennai in 1995 has India won against Pakistan in a cup final.

A striking aspect of India's display today was the sense of fortitude when the chips were down. More than once the team recovered from difficult situations. To pick one or two for adulation will be invidious. Collectively, it was a performance worth walking miles to watch. There was everything, fluency, finesse and the fierce determination not to buckle under pressure.

Circumpsection was the governing mode for both. Neither showed the inclination to strive for anything that went beyond the realm of control. India's frontline did not match the consistency it showed in the previous matches. Baljit Singh Dhillon was somewhat subdued and erred frequently as Deepak Thakur. To some extent, the rhythm suffered a bit on account of this as also by the slightly below par showing from Arjun Halappa. But Baljit Singh Saini and Thirumalvalavan contributed immensely to the stability of the mid-field as were Barla, Nayak and Tirkey in the defence.

Pakistan attacked vigorously from the right. Haider Hussain was a picture of elegance whenever he surged ahead in the company of Kuashif Jawaad and Mohammad Sarwar. However it was Mohammad Usman who delighted the audience with his effective interceptions and clearances. His was a sterling performance. With Saqlain and Waseem in good nick, the mid-field was not easily beaten.

Where India was successful was in nullifying the lethal striker, Sohail Abbas. Pakistan had only two penalty corners in the first half, and three in the second. Jude Menezes managed to offer the pads more than once with beaming non- chalance. In fact the first goal that Pakistan scored came after Sohail's shot was stopped neatly. Tirkey was quick enough to clear the ball which however rolled to Sarwar who flicked in the lead.

Undaunted by the reverse, India powered its way through. A free hit by Dhanraj Pillay provided the gap for Prabhjot Singh to cut in. What resulted was a scrimmage from where wing half Radhakrishnan slotted in the equaliser. Despite marked tightly by Waseem, veteran Dhanraj worked ceaselessly in the attack. Minutes after the equaliser, Thirumal darted in with Prabhjot Singh following closely. After a bout of passing, Thirumal, well in position, deflected the ball which curved into the boards off Ahmed Alam's pads. India had wrested the lead 2-1. Immediately, Prabhjot fumbled with a sitter. Before half-time, Pakistan produced a superb goal when Sarwar lunged for a long corner hit by Anis Mohammad to beat Jude Menezes all ends down.

On level at 2-2 at half-time, the contest resumed with Pakistan threatening to overcome the defence. A brilliant save by Jude Menezes off an attempt by Kaushif Jawaad kept the score on par. Jude effected another lovely save off a stiff penalty corner drive by Sohail but only at the expense of another. Jude padded again only to see Nadeem hitting in the rebound. As excitement touched a crescendo, Pakistan looked well ensconced with the lead. A deliberate infringement by Thirumal brought him an yellow with only eight minutes remaining for the hooter. Reduced to ten, the team battled it along without Dhanraj and Dhillon, both of whom were substituted.

When three minutes remained came India's second penalty corner - the one in the first half was frittered away by delaying the execution. Dilip Tirkey produced a withering drive to which Ahmed Alam offered the pads, As the ball bounced, Tirkey moved up and shot the rebound amidst thunderous cheers.

The extra-time of 15 minutes were uneventful with both teams avoiding errors in the defence.

But the real nerve-wracking drama unfolded in the tie- breaker. Sohail Abbas began on the wrong foot for Pakistan pushing the ball away from the target. Baljit Singh Dhillon and Arjun Halappa put India on 2-0 after Jude made an excellent save off Sarwar. Even as Haider and Waseem converted, Inderjit Singh and Prabhjot Singh failed, pushing the ball along the ground for Alam to make an easy save. Tied at 2-2, Pakistan was decidedly unlucky with the fifth from Nadeem hitting the post and spinning away. All eyes were on Daljit Singh Dhillon as he took position for the decider. Showing no hint of nerve, Daljit Singh Dhillon flicked the ball to the roof of the net, even as the Indian players rushed into the ground to celebrate their well deserved victory.

An ecstatic Jothikumaran, Secretary, IHF, attributed the triumph to the collective work of the team which remained confident almost throughout.

Baljit Singh Dhillon, India's captain, was declared the Player of the Tournament. Mohammad Usman of Pakistan was declared the man of the match.

Earlier, Egypt won on sudden death tie-breaker the third spot against Japan after the deadlock at 3-3. Yamabori scored all the three goals for Japan, while Adnan El Sayed, Belal Ebrahim and Gabala netted for Egypt. The mandatory set of 10 ended in a tie at 4-4, but in the sudden death phase Adnan El Sayed, Belal Ebrahim and Abo El Syed flicked in for Egypt, while only Yamabori and Tobita were successful for Japan.

Mr.Zillur Rahman, Minister for Local Government, presided and gave away the trophy.

The teams:

India: Jude Menezes (GK), Bharat Chetri (GK), Dilip Tirkey, Dinesh Nayak, Lazarus Barla, Arjun Halappa, Thirumalvalavan, Baljit Singh Saini, Bipin Fernandes, Radhakrishnan, Inderjit Singh, Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon (Capt.), Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh, and Daljit Singh Dhillon.

Pakistan: Ahmed Alam (GK & Capt.), Qasim (GK), Sohail Abbas, Tariq Imran, Zeeshan, Mohammad Usman, Saqlain, Waseem Ahmed, Haider Hussain, Mohammad Sarwar, Kamran Ashraf, Mohammad Nadeem, Anis Mohammad, Dilawar, Kaushif Jawaad and Mudassar.

Umpires: David Gentiles (Australia) and Paramjit Singh (Malaysia).

Final placings: 1. India, 2. Pakistan, 3. Egypt 4. Japan, 5. Bangladesh, 6. Malaysia, 7. Scotland, 8. China and 9. Ireland.