Seniors void juniors’ valiant effort

Win last game 2-1 and claim three-match series 2-0

KARACHI: Pakistan national senior hockey probables defeated the U21 probables 2-1 in the last of their three-match series at Lahore’s National Hockey Stadium yesterday to clinch the series 2-0.

After drawing the first match and winning the second 4-1, the seniors one again came out strong as the ball rarely left the juniors’ half during the first five minutes of the match.

However, in the seventh minute, juniors’ captain Dilber found his way deep into the enemy territory before slipping the ball to Mohsin Sabir, who put his team ahead with a flat top of the circle reverse push to take a surprise 1-0 lead.

The seniors immediately pushed for an equaliser and had several chances in the second period — including two penalty corners — but failed to find the net as the juniors went into the interval with a slim advantage.

Early in the second half, the juniors had two gilt-edged chances to increase their lead, but they couldn’t. From that point on, it was mostly the seniors running the show and their equaliser finally arrived in the 50th minute.

A fine Haseem Khan cross from right was collected by Arslan Qadir whose top of the circle shot didn’t give goalkeeper any chance.

Four minutes later, the seniors got the winning goal as Qadir successfully converted their sixth and final penalty corner of the match.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2016.

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