Hockey, Men

After the 6-team tournament of 1980, the Los Angeles hockey tournament included all the favorites. The Soviet Union did forfeit participation, and they were replaced by Great Britain. Surprisingly, the substitutes won their pool, only drawing against World Champion Pakistan, and eventually took home the bronze medal.

Australia, winner of the 1983 Champions Trophy won all their matches in the other group. However, both pool winners were unable to make it through the semi-finals, both losing 1-0. The gold medal match was a replay of the 1972 final, between Pakistan and West Germany. As 12 years earlier, the Germans took the lead, but Pakistan quickly tied and held on until full time. The first Olympic hockey final to go into overtime was finally decided by Kalimullah of Pakistan.

Remarkably, the third hockey gold for Pakistan had strong ties with the two earlier ones in 1960 and 1968. Coach Manzoor Hussain Atif had already coached the national team in Mexico, and had himself played on the golden team of 1960. The Dar family was also represented in each of the three championship teams. Munir Dar played on the 1960 team, while his brother Tanvir won the gold eight years later. Munir’s son, Tauqir won the family’s third gold.