Hockey: Pakistan thrash Korea 6-1 to enter final

In-form junior hockey team to face hosts Malaysia on Sunday.

KARACHI: Pakistan cruised into the final of the Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament in style as they outclassed South Korea 6-1 in Malaysia yesterday.

The Greenshirts will face the hosts in the final on Sunday after they defeated defending champions India 2-0 in the first semi-final. Pakistan, who topped group B following an unbeaten run, continued their brilliant performance and dominated their rivals.

Cautious start

After a cautions start, Pakistan made a breakthrough in the 11th minute when Mohammad Irfan’s push evaded the Korean defenders and ended in goal. Mohammad Dilber then doubled the lead and took the score to 3-0 by scoring in the 13th and 15th minutes.

Korea reduced the lead in the 46th minute when Seungho Im scored one. However, Ali Shan scored the fourth goal for Pakistan in the 60th minute and Mohammad Suleman’s effort the very next minute took the score-line to 5-1. Mohammad Tauseeq completed the 6-1 rout with a goal six minutes from the finish to seal the result.

A huge win against the Koreans: Coach

“Our team has never achieved such a huge win against the Koreans,” coach Rana Mujahid told The Express Tribune from Malacca.

“In fact we lost to them in our previous two encounters. This win will go a long way in boosting the players’ confidence as they prepare for the Junior World Cup. There were some key individual performances but overall the team effort was key to our brilliant show.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2012.