Korea dent Pakistan’s final hopes

KARACHI: Pakistan went down to Korea 4-2 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to end their hopes of making it to the final.

Korea, who qualified on a superior goal difference, face India, who beat Egypt 7-1 in the last group match. Pakistan opened the account in the 31st minute via Mohamad Zubair but Korea equalised seven minutes later through Lee Nam Yong. He added his second by putting the ball past Imran. However, captain Muhammad Imran sent in a low flick off Pakistan’s sixth penalty corner to make it 2-2.

In the 66th minute the situation turned chaotic as umpire Warren McCully awarded a penalty stroke to Korea. Pakistan protested and after red cards were shown, players refused to continue and coach Khwaja Junaid was seen discussing the issue with Daljit Singh, the technical official from Malaysia. After the drama was over, Nam Hyun Woo scored from the spot to put Korea 3-2 ahead, playing against a 10-man Pakistan following Imran’s dismissal.

Hyun Woo scored with two minutes remaining on the clock to lead Korea into the final against India. Pakistan finished fifth in the seven-team competition after the second, third and fourth places were tied between Korea, Australia and Malaysia respectively.

Published in the Express Tribune, May 16th, 2010.