The World Cup victory of the Pakistan Hockey team in the 1978 World Cup was another successful chapter in the golden era of Pakistan Hockey. The golden period in Pakistan Hockey was between 1956 and 1984. This period saw the Pakistan Hockey team win 2 Olympic golds (1968 and 1974), three World Cups (1971, 1978 and 1982) and two Champions Trophies (1978 and 1980).
The 1978 Hockey World Cup was hosted by Argentina. The venue was Campo del Polo in Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires hosted the World Cup after outbidding Melbourne and Hong Kong. The tournament was conducted between the 18th of March and 1st of April. Pakistan was in Pool B along with host Argentina, Spain, Malaysia, Italy, the Netherlands and Ireland. Pakistan’s arch-rival India was in Pool A along with Australia, West Germany, England, Poland, Canada and Belgium. India was the defending World champion.
While India was facing problems with form and infighting, Pakistan was thriving in the tournament. The pool matches were all going Pakistan’s way. Pakistan beat Hockey heavyweights the Netherlands 3-1. Pakistan also beat Spain 2-1 in another pool match. The fact to be noted here is Spain is the team which Pakistan beat to clinch its first ever World Cup in 1971. As for minnows Malaysia and Ireland, they were just swatted out of the way by Pakistan. Pakistan entered the semi-finals of the 1978 World Cup without any drama, unlike the 1971 World Cup. Pakistan was simply the best team in Pool B and it took its rightful place in the semi-finals against West Germany.
In the semi-final match between Pakistan and West Germany, neither team could score a goal during regular time. Pakistani Islahuddin scored the only goal of the match in extra time. This goal was enough to propel Pakistan into the final of the 1978 World Cup. In the final, Pakistan had to take on the Netherlands, which had defeated Australia in the other semi-final.
In the final, Pakistan was in fine form. The Pakistan team defeated the Netherlands team by three goals to two. Dutchman Raul Litjens was the top goal scorer of the tournament. He scored 15 goals in total. He was in top form in the final. His penalty corners were blistering and created plenty of scoring opportunities for the Dutch. But the team couldn’t capitalize on a majority of these opportunities and had to watch as the game slipped away from their grasp thanks to some brilliant play from Pakistan.
Pakistan was the only team which managed to stay undefeated throughout the 1978 World Cup tournament. Pakistan’s victory in the 1978 World Cup led to the initiation of the Champions Trophy. The idea was conceived by Pakistan and the team has enjoyed a lot of success in that particular tournament over the years. Though defending world champions India were relegated to sixth place, Pakistan managed to keep the flame of Asian Hockey burning brightly through its victory in the 1978 World Cup.