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Saturday, February 06, 2010, Safar 21, 1431

South Asian Games
Pak beat SL 2-0 to set gold clash with India in Hockey

Dhaka—Pakistan Whites under pressure after 1-5 hammering from India, struggled to defeat Sri Lanka while registering 2-0 win at Maulana Bhasani Stadium astro-turf here on Friday.

Pakistan however was lucky to reach the final of the hockey event after India came from 0-2 down to play a 3-3 draw against a spirited Bangladesh before a vociferious crowd of nearly 5000.

India topped the group after round robin league with ten points while Pakistan finished second with nine points and Bangladesh third with seven points.

Now India will clash Pakistan for the gold on Sunday while Bangladesh takes on Sri Lanka for the bronze medal.

After barren opening session, Pakistan banged in both their goals in the second half to get three points for the victory, reports APP Sports Correspondent Ehsan Qureshi.

Mohsin Bilal and Captain Sibtan Raza scored one goal each. But youthful Aamir Shahzad was named man of the match award for his fine display during the match by the jury.

Pakistan team put a disappointing show in the first half, showing lack in execution and planning, failing to score on any of their four penalty corners. Sibtain missed four sitters.

On the other hand, Sri Lankans, who had no standing in the sport, offered Pakistan a great challenge with smart dribbling and inroads into their circle.

Mohsin Bilal gave sigh of relief when he scored the opening goal in 38th minute on a rebound from goalie Fernando on a goal melee. Ten minute later Sibtain Raza scored on a combined move with Abdul Qayyum to make it 2-0.

Bangladesh played the best match of the tournament as they gave Indian team a great scare before were forced to play a 3-3 draw.

Indian Captain Ragunath, who slammed a hat-trick against Pakistan, missed the first four penalty corners as his team looked in trouble.

Bangladesh opened the scoring in 20th minute when Kamruzzaman with brilliant sliding push after connecting a pass from Pintu Imran in 20th minute. Just five minutes before the break Pushkar doubled the lead to astound their opponents.

The second session saw Ragunath converting his team’s fifth PC to make it 1-2 in 52nd minutes and Muhammad Firoz the parity by netting a field goal in 59th minute.

Indians pulled back their third goal Dharmvir Singh in 67th minute before Mostofa made it 3-3 seconds before the close.—APP

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