Asian Champions Trophy: Pakistan beat China 5-1

Imran scoresbrace to help team record second successive victory.

KARACHI: Defending champions Pakistan registered their second consecutive victory at the Asian Champions Trophy after trouncing China 5-1 in Kakamigahara, Japan yesterday, courtesy of a brace from Mohammad Imran.

The Chinese side that stunned India 2-0 on the opening day failed to reciprocate Saturday’s show and lacked skills to block the penalty-corners.

The greenshirts, on the other hand, continued their form of the 8-0 drubbing against Oman, and never let their neighbours settle.

Imran converted a couple of penalty corners to put Pakistan ahead. Rizwan Senior also hit the target in another penalty corner as Pakistan led 3-0 at the interval.



China netted their solitary goal trying to reduce Pakistan’s leeway, but Mohammad Dilber and Abdul Haseem Khan scored a goal each to seal the points.

Team head coach and manager Tahir Zaman warned the greenshirts of complacency following back-to-back wins.

“We managed a good start but consistency is a must,” Zaman told The Express Tribune from Kakamigahara. “The format of the event is tough and there is no room for complacency.”

Pakistan are scheduled to play their next match against Malaysia tomorrow.

Meanwhile, India lost 2-1 to Japan in their second match.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2013.

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