Australia’s all-powerful men will play old foes New Zealand in a trans-Tasman finish to field hockey’s inaugural International Super Series in Perth on Sunday, as Pakistan just missed out. In the women’s side of the event, the hosts Australia will play India in the decider.
The round robin section of the innovative nine-a-side competition, with halves shortened to 15 minutes and the goals widened, concluded on Saturday, with the Kiwis joining the Australians in the men’s final.
Pakistan had the chance to advance to the final, but could only draw 1-1 with New Zealand.
The Pakistanis took the early lead through Shafqat Rasool in the seventh minute, but the Kiwis struck back through Joel Baker just before half-time to level the scores.
Pakistan might have secured a last-gasp win when they won a short corner in what was the last play of the match.
Under the trial format, it was four Pakistan players up against just two Kiwi defenders, however New Zealand goalkeeper Hamish McGregor was able to block an attempted pass and deflect the ball out of play to end the game and secure his team a final berth.
India had a slim chance to snatch a place in the final but they needed to thrash the in-form Australians in the subsequent men’s match. However they were never really in the hunt and were beaten 4-1 by the favourites for the 2012 Olympic gold medal. It was Australia’s third win in as many matches. India and Pakistan will play off for third place on Sunday. The women’s finalists had already been decided before Saturday’s games. Malaysia snatched a 1-1 draw with India with the last touch of the match after a short corner, before Australia beat the Indians 3-2 in a dress rehearsal for the final. The two sides drew 1-1 earlier in the tournament.
Loose narrowly or win broadly, does not matter.A win is a victory and a loss is an exclusion in sports.Australia will win this tournament but I hope this time around New Zealand give a tough time.In the last meeting Australia beat New Zealand by 7-1 margin.Pakistan hockey team needs to play more international level hockey to get back to wining ways.So far the results are not showing that the team is heading towards the goal. In the previous 4 tournaments the performance was below par and in this tournament it has not improved.PHF must be thinking that loosing to Australia and drawing with India and New Zealand is an achievement.Unfortunately it is enough to give this feed back to the authorities but fans are disappointed.
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