Akbar leads Pakistan into Asian Games final

Pakistan survive nervy shoot-out to send defending champions South Korea out of the Asian Games hockey event.

KARACHI: Pakistan survived a nervy shoot-out to send defending champions South Korea out of the Asian Games hockey event and prepare for a final showdown against Malaysia tomorrow.

Pakistan, whose last final appearance was in 1990 when it won gold, owed their win to experienced goal-keeper Salman Akbar who blocked three shots to give the Greenshirts a 4-3 win after the scores remained tied 1-1 in regulation time.

The game was poised at 3-3 after the first five strokes and drama followed as Sohail Abbas and Jang Jong-hyun missed their chances in the sudden death. Young striker Haseem Khan struck but Akbar blocked Jang Jong-ho’s push to seal Pakistan’s progress.

Earlier, Mohammad Waqas gave Pakistan the lead in the semi-final by scoring in the 22nd minute, strike that was levelled by Kang Moon-Kyu in the fourth minute of the second half. Pakistan hung on until the whistle despite being reduced to ten men after Mohammad Imran was shown a yellow.

Pakistan will now take on Malaysia, who shocked India 4-3 in another tense last-four encounter, in tomorrow’s quest for gold. The winner of the final will be awarded a direct route to the 2012 London Olympics.

Team urged to improve for final

While congratulating Pakistan for the memorable victory, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Qasim Zia has called for a better display in the final.

“The team showed a good performance, especially Akbar who displayed his class, but the players did not put up their hundred per cent,” he said. “Hopefully they will come up with a better show in the final to clinch the gold medal.”

Kabaddi team reaches semifinals

Pakistan kabaddi team rolled into the last-four after defeating Japan 28-11, their second straight win in the competition.

The second-seeds, who had earlier outclassed Malaysia in their first match, will meet Bangladesh today before taking on their semi-final opponents later.

Women squash team sent packing

The national women squash team was sent packing when they were beaten by hosts China 2-1, their third consecutive defeat in the competition.

In contrast, Pakistan men’s team continued their brilliant form to outclass the hosts 3-0 with Aamir Atlas, Farhan Mehboob and Yasir Butt winning their respective matches to help team secure a third win.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 210.