International Super Hockey Series: Pakistan go down fighting

World champions Australia clinch close 3-2 win in hockey tournament.

KARACHI: Australia began their campaign at the International Super Hockey Series on a winning note, edging out Pakistan 3-2 in an exciting kick-off to the innovative nine-a-side format in Perth.  

While the world champions secured winning points after a close win, Pakistan team management praised its players after an impressive show in their first official match in the newly-introduced version of the game.

The match started off at quick pace, fulfilling the objective of the format, as all the goals were scored in the first half.

All five goals were scored in a nine-minute burst in the first-half. Jamie Dwyer’s superb goal from just inside the circle in the 15th minute ultimately proving the winner. For Pakistan, captain Shakeel Abbasi and young striker Abdul Haseem Khan were the scorers.

The Greenshirts clearly felt they were on the wrong end of the umpiring as they searched for an equaliser in the second half, making several vocal complaints to the officials.

In another match of the competition, New Zealand thrashed India 6-3.

‘Positive start for us’

Meanwhile, the team management was happy with the results. “The players put on  a good show,” Pakistan manager Khwaja Junaid told The Express Tribune from Perth. “Australia are the number one side and invented the nine-a-side format. We were playing this format for the first time but our players gave them a run for their money.

“It was a good start for us and the players are looking forward to the remaining tournament.”

More practice needed: Zia

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Qasim Zia appreciated the team’s show but added that improvement was needed, which will only come through exposure to the format.

“The Aussies have been playing this format for a long time. They’ve practised a lot in this version but the result suggests Pakistan’s performance was good enough. I’m very happy with the start and with more practice we can achieve good results,” added Zia.

Pakistan play against arch-rivals India today.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2011.