Australia thrash Pakistan in Malaysia

Great Britain stay top of the table in Azlan Shah Cup.

KARACHI:

World champions Australia defeated Pakistan 5-1 to maintain their supremacy in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.

Pakistan, who won their first two games 4-2, had lost to Great Britain and were knocked off from the top spot by Australia who are now on seven points.

The Greenshirts, with six points from four matches, suffered at the hands of the Aussies as they forced errors from their opponents in a fast-paced match. The Australians looked focused from the start as Glenn Turner, Jason Wilson and Simon Orchard tested Pakistan’s goal-keeper Imran Shah early in the first half.

They were lucky to take the lead in the 23rd minute after a controversial penalty call as Orchard capitalised on the opportunity by sliding past Shah to give Australia a 1-0 lead.

Pakistan quickly came back and counter-attacked as Sohail Abbas converted a penalty corner in the 28th minute but their form was short lived and could not gather further momentum. A poor display in defence resulted in Jason Wilson collecting the ball at the top of the circle and booming it across Shah in the 34th minute to secure a first half lead for Australia at 2-1.

The Aussies continued to dictate the second half as three goals handed them maximum points with the Asian champions crumbling under pressure. Pakistan was also presented with a couple of penalty corners which could have brought them back into the game but they failed to convert chances into goals.

Meanwhile, New Zealand suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Great Britain which ensures they stay on top of the table. In the final match of the day, India thrashed Malaysia 5-2 as the hosts languish at the bottom of the table having failed to pick up a single point.



Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2011.