Kuala Lumpur: An inspired India struck two goals in the dying stages to edge out bitter rivals Pakistan 4- 2 and lift the Asia Cup hockey title for the first time on September 28.

After being locked 2-2 in the interval, Ignace Tirkey and Prabhjot Singh produced brilliant goals in the last two minutes to help India turn the tables on their traditional rivals in an absorbing contest which saw fortunes fluctuating from one team to the other.

The win gave India an automatic berth in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

India, who came up with a disciplined performance, outplayed Pakistan in all the departments to score the memorable win that also helped them break the Asia Cup jinx as they had never won the tournament despite being in the final on four previous occasions.

PTI