Asian Champions Trophy: Pakistan ‘virtually’ in final after third win

Rasool scores last-minute goal to ensure victory over Malaysia.

KARACHI: Vice-captain Shafqat Rasool struck a last-minute goal as Pakistan edged out Malaysia 1-0 to ‘virtually’ enter the final of the Asian Champions Trophy yesterday in Kakamigahara, Japan.

The defending champions continued to lead the table in the six-nation event after their third successive win.

However, the greenshirts, who had earlier blown away Oman 8-0 and China 5-1 were not allowed an easy passage by Malaysia, a team boasting an impressive defense. Team head coach and manager Tahir Zaman was happy with the result and hoped to continue the team’s unbeaten streak.

“We dominated most of the proceedings,” Zaman told The Express Tribune from Kakamigahara.

“We also took five short-corners excluding the last one converted by Shafqat; all were blocked well by their goal-keeper. Besides a good defense by Malaysia, our strikers also missed a few chances which we are working to rectify.”

“But we are happy as after today’s [yesterday] results we are virtually in the final. The other contenders – Japan, China and India – will have to score heavy victories even if we lose both our remaining matches,” said Zaman, before hoping for wins in the remaining games against India and Japan.

In other matches yesterday, China ended Japan’s unbeaten run with a 3-1 victory while India opened their account with a 3-0 drubbing of Oman.

Pakistan will play their next match against arch-rivals India tomorrow.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2013.

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