Asian champions Pakistan came from behind to destroy rivals and joint-holders India 3-1 with a masterly second-half performance on Wednesday in the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup. Earlier, World Champions Australia proved they are the team to beat with a well-crafted 4-2 victory over South Korea, who claimed the title last year with India when the final was washed out.
The Indians were the better side in the first-half and deservedly took a 1-0 lead before Pakistan found their rhythm in the second period to score three goals and collect full points. Jubilant Pakistan team manager K. M. Junaid said: “The second-half made all the difference. We went at them all the way. At the same time, we did not allow them to play their game and kept them pinned down. “What also helped is that we kept our emotions in check for the game.”
A resurgent Pakistan now have nine points and are third in the table behind leaders Australia, who have ten points, and Great Britain, also on nine. India gained an initial advantage through a Rupinderpal Singh penalty corner in the 22nd minute. He is the current top scorer in Malaysia with six goals, all from penalty corners. But Pakistan roared back thanks to Muhammad Zubair in the 49th minute, and then Muhammad Imran netted the second off a penalty corner in the 55th minute to put his side ahead. Sohail Abbas sealed an emotional victory against the old rivals two minutes later.
Australian coach Ric Charlesworth said his team’s performance was still rusty despite the win over South Korea. Australia meet Great Britain on Thursday for a mouthwatering top-of-the-table showdown. The Australians dominated the first-half, taking a 3-1 lead.
Timothy Deavin scored just after eight minutes from a field effort, followed by Mark Paterson in the 12th minute and Glenn Turner in the 34th minute. The Koreans, who still sit on four points after four matches, reduced the deficit in the 15th minute through You Hyo-Sik but rarely raised their game in the first-half.
In the second, they pulled a goal back in the 39th minute through Hyun Hya-Sung, also from a field attempt. But despite the Koreans pushing hard for the equaliser, the Australians slotted another goal in the 63rd minute through Paterson for a convincing win. Meanwhile, New Zealand bagged a last-minute 3-2 win over hapless hosts Malaysia to give the Kiwis their first victory at the tournament. The hard-earned win puts New Zealand on four points and coach Shane McLeod said he hoped it would give his side vital impetus for tough games against India and old rivals Australia in the final two matches.
Results:
New Zealand 3 (Nicholas Wilson 16, Stephen Jenness 57, Steven Edwards 70) Malaysia 2 (Mohamed Izzat Rahim 30, Faizal Saari 68)
h-t: 1-1
Australia 4 (Timothy Deavin 8, Mark Paterson 12, 67, Glenn Turner 34) South Korea 2 (You Hyo-Sik 15, Hyun Hya-Sung 39)
h-t: 3-1
Pakistan 3 (Muhammad Zubair 49, Muhammad Imran 55, Sohail Abbas 57) India 1 (Rupinderpal Singh 22)
h-t: 0-1.
