The Chinese have never featured strongly in hockey but their drive to succeed in anything and everything with the Beijing Olympics looming in two years' time has seen them make an impact at Doha 2006.
Victory over traditional hockey specialists India in the group stages saw them progress and a dramatic 2-1 win over Pakistan in the semifinal, which included a last-minute equaliser for the underdogs, put them into their first final at 17:30 later today at Al-Rayyan Hockey Field.
Captain Song Yi has led the way with five goals while goalkeeper Su Rifeng has been in outstanding form when called upon.
Song said: "We are so lucky to have such a good coach [Kim Sangryul]. Our players are young and for seven of them this is their first chance to play in the Asian Games. We cooperate extremely well and our strategy is good.
"We have practised a lot of technical moves for playing the penalty corner for example. We have been preparing for two years."Â
Tournament favourites Korea stand in their way and will be tough to beat, having strolled through their group undefeated and beaten Japan with ease in the semifinals.
Pakistan and India have thus had their wings clipped and left to fight for minor prizes - in India's case an unwanted match for fifth place against Malaysia, while Pakistan play-off for bronze against Japan.
15th Asian Games, Doha 2006
Posted December 14th, 2006 by COBA
