AHF Women’s Cup: Pakistan go down 5-1 to Thailand

Shehzadi scores lone goal for visiting side in semi-final

KARACHI: Pakistan women hockey team’s run at the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Cup ended yesterday as they lost to hosts Thailand 5-1 in the semi-final in Bangkok.

Pakistan, who are ranked 55th in the world, were dominated throughout the match by 35th-ranked Thailand.

The hosts led 2-1 at half-time, with Kulsoom Shehzadi scoring the lone goal for Pakistan in the 28th minute of the match.

Thai captain Tikhamporn Sakunpithak scored twice in the 51st and 58th minutes, increasing her individual goal tally to 16 in the tournament, according to the AHF website.



Meanwhile, Kornkanok Sanpoung, Natthakarn Aunjai, and Supansa Samanso contributed a goal each.

This was the first time Pakistan reached the AHF Cup semi-final, and managed to deliver impressive performances in the tournament.

They drew against Hong Kong 1-1, thrashed Cambodia 11-0 and again drew 1-1 against Singapore in Group B.

Team coach Saeed Khan said he was a bit disappointed as he wanted to see Pakistan in the final.



“There are no excuses. The better team won,” said Saeed in his official statement after the match. “Our opponents have been very active on the international circuit, especially during the last five years. Being the hosts, they were fully prepared for the event. It was Pakistani women’s first international appearance in three years.”

Pakistan will now be playing for the bronze medal against Chinese Taipei in the tournament that was featuring nine countries.

“We have an important third-position match to play.  I am hopeful that the girls would put today’s disappointment behind them and go all out tomorrow,” said Saeed.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2016.

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