Sultan of Johor Cup: Malaysia shatter Pakistan’s final hopes

Hosts and India walk into Sunday’s epic battle at junior hockey event.

KARACHI: Pakistan went down fighting 4-2 against Malaysia yesterday, a loss that ended their chances of reaching the final of the third Sultan of Johor Cup being held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Going into the game faced with a must-win situation after a defeat to arch rivals India, Pakistan failed to cope with the hosts.

Malaysia started aggressively, winning two penalty corners in the 6th and 7th minutes but failed to convert any.

They continued to dominate before Pakistan started gaining confidence and made the hosts pay with a goal in the 26th minute through Mohammad Dilber.

However, Malaysia levelled within a couple of minutes before taking the lead in the 40th minute as the first-half ended with the score at 2-1.

Pakistan made it 2-2 in the 48th minute through Mohammad Tousiq but Malaysia regained the lead in the 52nd. They scored another to seal the 4-2 win and along with it a place in the final with 12 points from four matches.

With just six points, Pakistan stand no chance of qualifying for the final as India also remained unbeaten claiming their fourth successive win with a 6-1 thrashing of South Korea yesterday.

In another match, Argentina claimed their first win in the event beating England 3-0.

Pakistan will play their last league match against Argentina tomorrow.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2013.

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