Azlan Shah Cup: Greenshirts down, almost out

Squander 2-0 lead against Malaysia; Pakistan slump to bottom of standings.

KARACHI: The Pakistan hockey team was given a rude awakening after it squandered a 2-0 lead to go down to a spirited Malaysian side 3-2 for their third successive defeat in the Azlan Shah Cup, a result that leaves them at the bottom of the standings.

It was another lacklustre display by the Sohail Abbas-led side as, after going 2-0 up in first 15 minutes, complacency let the low-ranked hosts prevail in the match that should have been easy sailing for the Greenshirts.

Pakistan, who lost to New Zealand and South Korea after winning their first international on the blue Astroturf against Argentina, were off to a fiery start against Malaysia. Umer Bhutta scored the opener in just the fourth minute with Shafqat Rasool increasing the lead eight minutes later.

The match seemed to be headed Pakistan’s way before Amir Farid reduced the lead a minute before the first-half ended to revive Malaysian hopes.

The momentum shifted, however, after the match resumed with Faisal Saari scoring the equaliser in the 48th minute. The hosts were dealt a blow when Saari was sent off for a foul but Mohammad Razie scored the winner through a penalty-corner in the final stages to stun Pakistan.

Pakistan captain Abbas also continued to struggle, failing to convert three penalty-corners.

Lying on the bottom with just one win from four matches, the Greenshirts play India today and will meet Great Britain on June 2. However, a win in both matches will still not assure Pakistan a place in the final if other results do not go their way.

Samiullah rues ‘lack of planning’

Meanwhile, Olympian Samiullah Khan said a lack of planning should be blamed for the team’s pathetic show in the tournament.

“We are not learning from mistakes,” the former captain told The Express Tribune. “We’re repeating the same blunders, which mean the team management has no plans just like the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). It’s also just making tall claims and its failure is proved by the fact that we don’t have a back-up for players.

“Unfortunately we will have to rely on the same pool for the Olympics as well. Now we can only hope because if the team continues with the show the results will be worse in London.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2012.