Hobart International Challenge: Pakistan hockey team registers first win

Dilber’s brace helps them rout Korea 4-1

KARACHI: A brace from Muhammad Dilber Hussain guided the Pakistan hockey team to its first win in the Four-Nation Hobart International Challenge as it defeated an eighth-ranked South Korean side 4-1 at the Tasmanian Hockey Center in Hobart, Australia on Tuesday.

Prior to the victory, the Greenshirts had suffered two successive defeats at the hands of both the host teams — Australia and Australia A.

The first quarter of the match was a goalless affair before full-back Muhammad Irfan scored the opener through a penalty corner in the 19th minute. And shortly after, Dilber scored two field goals in the 22nd and 27th minutes to give Pakistan a 3-0 lead at half-time.

The third quarter also saw a dry spell before both the teams increased their attacking pace.

Pakistan’s Muhammad Umer Bhutta scored in the 46th minute while Korea’s Jonghyun Jang scored in the 58th to end the game at 4-1 in Pakistan’s favour.

The Greenshirts have one more match to play against Korea on May 9 before which they will face New Zealand on May 7.

In the other match of the day, the Kookaburras
defeated New Zealand 3-0.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th,  2015.

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