Fightback earns Pakistan 5-3 win over China

Haseem, Sharif score brace as hosts take 2-0 lead in Friendship Hockey Series.


Express December 22, 2011

KARACHI: Pakistan came back from two goals down to beat China 5-3 in the second of the four-match Friendship Series at the Hockey Club of Pakistan in Karachi.

The win follows Pakistan’s 3-0 thrashing of the tourists in the opening match and also marks the end of the Karachi leg — the final two matches take place in Faisalabad and Lahore.

Haseem Khan and Waqas Sharif scored a brace each while Ali Shan scored one, helping the hosts take an unbeatable lead in the series after China put on an improved show in front of a handful of spectators.

China take early lead

The tourists got early advantage when Dong Yang made no mistake on a penalty-corner in the third minute as Salman Akber, who replaced Imran Shah in goal, showed little effort in blocking the push. The visitors doubled their lead eight minutes later when Liu Xiangtang struck a field goal.

However, the hosts held their nerves and bounced back strongly, scoring three goals before the interval, relying on field goals with variation in attacks rather than depending heavily on penalty-corners.

Having failed to score off a short corner in the 16th minute, Pakistan opened their account courtesy Haseem’s first goal in the 19th minute. The young striker then combined with Waqas Sharif to draw the home side level four minutes later when the latter opened his account. Haseem doubled his tally off an indirect attempt on goal off a penalty-corner seven minutes before half-time as Pakistan went into the break with the slimmest of leads.

Pakistan dominated the second half and doubled their lead through Ali Shan off another field attempt in the 40th minute. China, however, hit back straight away and Yang scored his second goal off a short corner to make it 4-3.

But Sharif took things beyond the visitors’ control by scoring in the 56th minute as Pakistan managed to hold China back and walk away with the win.

All parties content with show

Pakistan team manager Khwaja Junaid was happy with the victory which Pakistan was made to work hard for.

“We gave a good performance overall,” said the Olympian. “We employed various combinations up front and it all worked out for us.”

However, he defended seasoned goal-keeper Akber, saying that China played more aggressively than in the series-opener -and for a win - which is why Pakistan conceded three goals.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran was expecting a tough contest in the remainder of the series.

“China will further improve in the series,” he said. “They will not go down without a fight and the next two matches will be exciting.”

The tourists’ captain Song Yi, too, remained satisfied with his side’s show.

“We challenged one of the best teams in the world today and will now be looking to improve our performance in the final two matches.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2011.

COMMENTS (1)

Khan | 12 years ago | Reply

its amazing how chinese are expanding into so many sports... love live pak-china friendship!

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