Second-half jitters sees Pakistan slip to defeat against Korea

Greenshirts lost 3-4 to South Korea in the quarter final match of the Hockey World League.

MALAYSIA: Pakistan gave away a 2-1 first half lead, to lose 4-3 against South Korea in the Hockey World League quarter-finals on Thursday, letting slip a golden chance to qualify for the hockey world cup.

According to details available of the match on the Federation International Hockey website, Pakistan seemed to pick up where they left off in their match against South Africa earlier in the week as they raced to a 2-0 lead by the 16^th minute. Muhammad Waqas produced a piece of brilliance to beat the defender on the edge of the circle before cracking a shot past Korean keeper Lee Myung Ho.

Muhammad Tousiq doubled Pakistan lead as his attempted cross in the circle took a deflection off a Korean stick and into the goal. It seemed that the flood gates would open then, just as it had against South Africa, but it did not happen.

Korea fought back and halved the deficit late in the half as Kang Moon Kweon sent a low penalty corner deflection into the Pakistan goal.

The Koreans though had a fantastic start to the second half as Kweon netted from close range to bring Korea level.

The Greenshirts though moved back in front in the 43^rd minute when Shakeel Abbasi converted a penalty stroke.

But it was not enough to keep out a resurgent Korea. They scored two goals a minute apart to turn the game on its head. First Nam Hyun Woo drag-flicked his team’s third goal in the 48^th minute before Kim Young Jin grabbed the fourth  from close range just moments later to leave the Pakistan team stunned.

Pakistan though had a chance to at least pull level in the 53^rd minute as they were awarded a penalty stroke. Abbasi again assumed responsibility, but unlike his previous attempt, the Korean custodian guessed correctly, stepping across to his left to keep Korea’s lead intact.

From then on, Pakistan pushed for a leveler, but Korea held on to secure crucial win and reach the Semi Finals in Johor Bahru.

The loss dented Pakistan’s hopes for an early qualification to the world cup, and will now have to go through the arduous qualification route.