Olympics glory: Pakistan edge South Africa in nine-goal thriller
The victory took Pakistan's points tally to seven from four matches.
LONDON:
Two goals in the last six minutes enabled Pakistan to post a 5-4 victory over South Africa in men's Olympic hockey on Sunday.
Waseem Ahmed's field goal three minutes from the end clinched victory after captain Sohail Abbas had converted a penalty corner in the 64th minute to neutralise South Africa's lead in the Pool A contest.
The victory took Pakistan's points tally to seven from four matches.
Abdul Haseem Khan scored two goals for Pakistan in the encounter that saw the lead change hands frequently.
South Africa had earlier ascendency through a second-minute open play strike by Thornton McDade, but Pakistan equalised in the 20th minute on Khan's first goal.
Justin Reid-Ross converted two penalty corners (22nd and 35th minutes) for South Africa, while Shafqat Rasool (23rd) and Khan (25th) fired for Pakistan as the two teams were tied 3-3 at half time.
South Africa seized the lead again three minutes into the second half on Wade Paton's field goal and held sway until the two goal burst from Pakistan in the last six minutes.
"If our strikers play well, we're in the game. The forwards seized the chances," said Akhtar Rasool, chief coach of the Pakistan team.
Australia leads the Olympic men's hockey pool A with 7 points.
Britain is currently second with 7 points and Pakistan is third after todays match.
Pakistan had earlier drawn its inaugural match against Spain 1-1, won the second match against Argentina 2-0 and lost against Great Britain 4-1.
Team Green will play Australia on August 7.
Correction: "Two" was erroneously spelled as "to" earlier in the photo caption. The typo has been fixed.
Two goals in the last six minutes enabled Pakistan to post a 5-4 victory over South Africa in men's Olympic hockey on Sunday.
Waseem Ahmed's field goal three minutes from the end clinched victory after captain Sohail Abbas had converted a penalty corner in the 64th minute to neutralise South Africa's lead in the Pool A contest.
The victory took Pakistan's points tally to seven from four matches.
Abdul Haseem Khan scored two goals for Pakistan in the encounter that saw the lead change hands frequently.
South Africa had earlier ascendency through a second-minute open play strike by Thornton McDade, but Pakistan equalised in the 20th minute on Khan's first goal.
Justin Reid-Ross converted two penalty corners (22nd and 35th minutes) for South Africa, while Shafqat Rasool (23rd) and Khan (25th) fired for Pakistan as the two teams were tied 3-3 at half time.
South Africa seized the lead again three minutes into the second half on Wade Paton's field goal and held sway until the two goal burst from Pakistan in the last six minutes.
"If our strikers play well, we're in the game. The forwards seized the chances," said Akhtar Rasool, chief coach of the Pakistan team.
Australia leads the Olympic men's hockey pool A with 7 points.
Britain is currently second with 7 points and Pakistan is third after todays match.
Pakistan had earlier drawn its inaugural match against Spain 1-1, won the second match against Argentina 2-0 and lost against Great Britain 4-1.
Team Green will play Australia on August 7.
Correction: "Two" was erroneously spelled as "to" earlier in the photo caption. The typo has been fixed.