PHOTO: REUTERS
New Zealand, playing in the tournament for the first time, were stunned by Pakistan’s energy as the Greenshirts took a two-goal lead into the halftime break. Muhammad Bilal Qadir opened the scoring through a 22nd minute field goal before Ali Mubashir’s penalty corner in the 33rd minute made it 2-0.
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The Black Sticks changed their rhythm in the second half and pulled one back straight away through Sam Lane’s field goal in the 46th minute. Hopes of a comeback, however, only lasted a couple of minutes as Rana Riaz scored from open play in the 48th minute to restore Pakistan’s two-goal lead.
But Mac Wilcox made it 3-2 as he pounced on a penalty corner rebound in the 59th minute to set the cat among the pigeons.
New Zealand were forced to go in search of a late equaliser, which allowed Pakistan to play on the counter and pick them off. Rana Sohail was the first to benefit, delightfully deflecting home a Mohsin Sabir cross before skipper Dilber got on the scoresheet seconds before the final hooter to make it 5-2.
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“All the teams are saving their best for later and haven’t fielded their strongest sides yet, but beating a team like New Zealand will provide a psychological advantage ahead of the Junior World Cup in India,” Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman told The Express Tribune. “More difficult matches are yet to come.”
New Zealand coach Bryce Collins admitted Pakistan played well but his captain Brad Read wasn’t too concerned after the match.
“Although we lost, we kept our attacking momentum. We were a bit unlucky to miss some of the chances created,” said Read.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2016.
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