Pakistan hockey team on Wednesday defeated Canada 5-4 in their fourth pool match to solidify their position to earn a final spot in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, underway in Ipoh, Malaysia.
With the win, Pakistan has accumulated 10 points in four matches and is now a strong con-tender for the title.
According to information made available here by Pakistan Hockey Federation, Canada took early lead in the 5th minute with a goal from Sean Davis and another in the 17th minute from Harbir Sidhu. Pakistan’s Abubakar Mahmood scored two goals in the 28th and 29th minutes, levelling the score.
After halftime, experienced goalkeeper Abdullah Ashfaq Khan took over the Pakistani goalpost. Arshad Liaqat, Rana Waheed Ashraf and Ghazanfar Ali scored goals in the 36th, 44th, and 45th minutes, respectively, solidifying Pakistan’s lead.
Canada’s Sean Davis scored a field goal in the 45th minute, and Avijot Butter scored another field goal in the 50th minute, reducing Canada’s goal deficit. However, Pakistan emerged victorious in the end.
Earlier on Tuesday, Forward Rana Waheed Ashraf scored from a penalty corner with a minute left to play to secure a 1-1 draw for Pakistan against Japan at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup that kept his side’s unbeaten run at the tournament intact.
Japan had taken the lead from Ken Nagayoshi’s drag-flick conversion in the 33rd minute but Roelant Oltmans’ Pakistan came strongly in the last quarter with Waheed pouncing on the fifth penalty corner earned by his side.
Despite the draw keeping Pakistan on top of the round-robin table, ahead of Japan on goal difference, Oltmans wasn’t satisfied.
“We can’t be relying on set pieces all the time,” the Dutchman, whose side had won their opening two games against Malaysia and South Korea respectively, told reporters after the match.
“My players should have played better, even by trying to get more field goals. As a whole, I’m not impressed with my players’ performance against Japan today.”
Pakistan next face Canada on Wednesday and Oltmans stressed he wants his side to press the issue.—APP
