Resurgent Pakistan overcome Korea 3-2

Pakistan beat South Korea, 3-2, in the fourth match of the Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament in China.

LAHORE/ KARACHI:

Pakistan recovered from a shock against Japan to overcome Korea 3-2 and boost their chances of reaching the Asian Champions Trophy final in Ordos, China.

The Asian Games champions, who gifted a win to Japan courtesy poor finishing, displayed a much-improved performance in their fourth match of the tournament to go top of the table.

Pakistan dominated the first-half, with Mohammad Waqas Sharif scoring in the seventh minute. Six minutes later Mohammad Irfan struck by converting a 13th-minute penalty-corner to make it 2-0. Korea made several attempts but failed to score as the Greenshirts were on top at the interval.

Korea hit back after the break and reduced Pakistan’s lead in the 43rd minute through Sun Hoon Cho. The score was levelled nine minutes later when Hyun Woo Nam converted a penalty corner.

With the match balanced, Shafqat Rasool grabbed an opportunity and sealed the win in the 57th minute.

‘Team played with responsibility’

Pakistan team manager Khwaja Junaid was delighted after the win.  “All the players showed responsibility,” Junaid told The Express Tribune. “After the loss to Japan, it was good to see the players showing commitment.”

‘Team has weak defence’

Former captain Mohammad Saqlain has urged the team to work on its defence, which he feels is the Greenshirts’ only weakness.

“I see Pakistan have a weak defence,” Saqlain told reporters in Lahore. “For the past year, they have conceded nearly 50 goals because of the folding approach. This is one area they need to improve.”

This fact was acknowledged by the manager before the team left for China when he said that Pakistan were relying on the traditional approach and Saqlain added this needed to change.

“There are gaps which aren’t covered and goals are scored due to the weak defence,” asserted Saqlain.

The former captain said that the win over Korea will boost Pakistan’s confidence before their clash against arch-rivals India.

India, Malaysia share points

India played their second draw of the tournament following a 2-2 deadlock against Malaysia. Japan outclassed China 3-1 to maximise their chances of reaching the final.

Pakistan face India tomorrow where a draw will take them to the final while Korea play China and Malaysia meet Japan in the other matches.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th,  2011.

Correction: The photo in the article was running an incorrect caption earlier. The error has been fixed.