Hockey: Too late, Pakistan end losing streak

Greenshirts beat Korea 6-2, in with a chance to finish 5th.

KARACHI: After three successive losses that sealed Pakistan’s Champions Trophy fate, the team’s 6-2 win over Korea may help them finish fifth in the event and qualify for the next edition.

Pakistan lost to Great Britain, Spain and Australia in their group matches but showed persistence for the first time in the tournament. Korea took the lead through Lee Nam-Yong in the seventh minute which was levelled by captain Mohammad Imran via a penalty-corner. Abdul Haseem Khan put Pakistan in the lead a minute later but the Koreans levelled to leave the score 2-2 at the interval.

Pakistan dominated the second half and scored four goals in the last ten minutes to seal their first win.

“It’s a confident booster for us,” said team manager Khwaja Junaid. “The team has shown the ability to bounce back which is a positive sign. We made less mistakes in the match and availed the chances.”

Abbas out for six weeks

Meanwhile, penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas has been ruled out for six weeks after fracturing his jaw in the defeat against Spain.

‘Heartbroken’ Ashraf in hockey rebellion

Ignoring warnings from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), former captain Zeeshan Ashraf left to play the unsanctioned multi-million dollar World Series Hockey (WSH) in India. The PHF has threatened life-time bans for players signing up with WSH but Ashraf said he used his right by deciding to play in the league. “I’m already out of the national team,” said Ashraf prior to his departure. “Hockey is my livelihood for which I’ll go anywhere in the world.” Adnan Maqsood also left for India, with Shakeel Abbasi, Waseem Ahmed and Rehan Butt also having signed contracts with the league.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2011.