Hockey fans cheer Team India during the Champions Trophy match against Pakistan and (below) children on their way to the stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 13: Hockey lovers were left heartbroken after India lost to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy semi-final at Kalinga Stadium this evening.
Pin drop silence prevailed in the stadium after India lost despite a spirited performance. "This is the first time the state is hosting any international hockey event and we were very hopeful that the hosts would clinch its maiden Champions Trophy. Unfortunately, that was not meant to be," said Subash Mohan, a hockey fan who came from Balasore for the match.
The city today woke up to a foggy morning but that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of hockey fans who turned up at the ticket counter for tickets of the final match expecting the host country to win the marquee event.
The crowd was ecstatic and backed the host team. Each time an Indian player took the ball forward, the entire stadium cheered and when the opposition scored goals, silence prevailed.
"It was a gem of a match and we crossed our fingers whenever a penalty corner was awarded during the match. We will remember the match for a long time," said Anirban Sahu, a spectator.
In spite of India's loss, there is a lot of exciting hockey to be played in the final tomorrow evening. Also, India will play against Australia for the third position.
Officials of Hockey India are hopeful that the stadium will be jam-packed tomorrow for the final match of the nine-day tournament that began on December 6.
After the Champions Trophy gets over, the third edition of Hockey India League (HIL) will kick-start at Kalinga Stadium on January 22.
Home team Kalinga Lancers will take on Ranchi Rays in the inaugural match.
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