No winners between Pakistan, Hong Kong

A goal each for both teams as match ends 1-1

KARACHI: The Pakistan women’s hockey team, out on an international tour after three years, was understandably rusty yesterday as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Hong Kong in their opening match of the Asian Hockey Federation Women’s Hockey Cup in Bangkok, Thailand.

The jitters and a lack of cohesion were there for all to see in the opening ten minutes when the women in green were completely outplayed and conceded four penalty corners, the last of which breached their defence as Hong Kong took a 1-0 lead.

Pakistan finally found their rhythm and were a much better side over the next 10 minutes.



They got their break in the 17th minute when a long hit into the Hong Kong circle found an unmarked Mayira Saber who expertly pushed the ball into the net to level the tie.



The pace of the match picked up significantly following the equaliser as both teams pushed for the winner.

Pakistan’s best opportunity came via a superb defence splitting cross from Hina Kanwal but the diving striker in the circle couldn’t put her stick on the ball as the first-half ended 1-1.



In the second-half, both teams had several penalty corners but a winner was not to be found.

“It was the team’s first international game after three years. They put an excellent show against a far more experienced side,” said the team’s head coach Usman Sheikh.

“The manner in which they outplayed the opposition in the last 15 minutes is a testament to their physical fitness. One grey area is the conversion of penalty corners,” he admitted.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2016.

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