Asian Games champions Pakistan came alive in the last 10 minutes of a Sultan Azlan Shah Cup match Friday, defeating South Korea 4-2 to go top of the standings. However, world champions Australia were lucky to salvage a 2-1 win over hosts Malaysia after rallying in the second half to remain in the running for a shot at the title.
Despite trailing the Koreans – joint reigning champions alongside India – twice in the match, three goals in the last few minutes turned the tide for the Pakistanis. Jubilant team manager K. M. Junaid said it was a great day for Pakistani hockey as the team played as a family and more importantly, was able to withstand 70 minutes of impressive hockey from their opponents.
“We are never a 70-minute team and many times we have faltered at the later stages of a match. This is a turning point and it shows the mental strength of the players here,” said Junaid. “To come back after trailing twice is also great and there is the fact that we managed to score three goals in the last seven minutes. I am pleased and this augurs well for the team,” he added.
The Koreans were the stronger team in the first half, scoring an early goal in the 13th minute from a penalty corner taken by Hyun Hya-sung. Rehan Butt pulled his team level in the 21st minute and it remained 1-1 through to half-time. The Koreans again took the lead in the second half with Hya-sung scoring in the 48th minute with another set piece move but the Pakistanis slowly clawed back into the game and soon were attacking in greater numbers.
The turning point came in the 63rd minute from their fifth penalty corner when Sohail Abbas scored with a high flick against goalkeeper Lee Myung-ho.
A minute later, youngster Abdul Haseem Khan scored a field goal and Waqas Akbar ended a great day for the Pakistanis with a 70th minute field goal.
The Pakistanis will face Britain on Sunday while the Koreans have New Zealand in their sights.
Meanwhile, the top-ranked Australians’ first match of the tournament saw them just secure a 2-1 win despite a 23rd minute goal by Malaysia’s Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin. A late Aussie comeback brought goals in the 59th minute from Simon Orchard and Jason Wilson in the 69th. In the second match of the day, 23-year-old Rupinderpal Singh turned hero for India as he scored the first hat-trick of the tournament in a 3-1 defeat of Britain. A much improved Indian team got off to a flier as Rupinderpal scored the first goal in the 10th minute for a 1-0 first half lead and he was again on target in the 55th and 57th minutes.
James Tindell pulled a consolation goal back for Britain in the 62nd minute. Indian coach Harinder Singh was pleased with what he saw as an improved effort after an opening loss to South Korea – who were declared joint champions alongside the Indians last year after heavy rain caused play to be abandoned.
“The young players had more confidence in their abilities and it showed in the game. It was a good result for us and put us back in the fold for a podium finish,” he said.
India, Britain and South Korea now have three points after two matches in the seven-nation event while Australia have three points from one match.
Saturday is a rest day.
Results: South Korea 2 (Hyun Hya-sung 13, 48) Pakistan 4 (Rehan Butt 21, Sohail Abbas 63, Abdul Haseem Khan 64, Waqas Akbar 70)
H-t: 1-1
Britain 1 (James Tindell 62) India 3 (Rupinderpal Singh 10, 55, 57)
H-t: 0-1
Australia 2 (Orchard 59, Wilson 69) Malaysia 1 (Tengku Abdul Jalil 23)
H-t: 0-1
