Pakistan eye final berth in Dublin today

Greenshirts beat China 3-2 at hockey event.

KARACHI:

After suffering an unlikely defeat against lowly-ranked France, Pakistan recovered well to defeat China 3-2 in a close finish to keep their chances alive at the UCD Four-Nation Hockey Tournament, underway in Dublin.

Pakistan, who lost 4-2 in their opening match, came up with an improved show against China.

A competitive match saw the Asian Games champions as the eventual winners, courtesy goals from penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas, young striker Haseem Khan and Mohammad Zubair.

Pakistan face hosts Ireland today in their crucial last-league match, where a win will ensure a berth in the final.

The Greenshirts, who have conceded five goals besides scoring as many goals, are ahead of France on goal difference, who have a deficit of three goals. Both teams have recorded one victory each.

Ireland, who have won both their matches, have already confirmed their place in the final. They have scored 10 goals while conceding just three. However, chances of China reaching the final appear to be slim considering defeats in both their matches.

Hopes high for a final berth

Pakistan team manager Khwaja Junaid was hopeful of the team’s chances of entering the final.

“Players recovered well after losing to France,” Junaid told The Express Tribune.

“China aren’t an easy side and victory against them has boosted our confidence. The team has regained rhythm.

“Ireland are playing good hockey but we are hopeful of reaching the final by beating the home side,” said the Olympian.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2011.