While Aussies were awesome in their 5-0 demolition of Spain and South Africa displayed some rare spine by not disintegrating against Great Britain 2-2, Pakistan too found its feet to rustle up a most welcome 2-0 win against Argentina to be placed second behind the Aussies in the Pool A rankings.
If it stays that way at the end of the pool games, Pakistan would have realized their objective and achieved something tangible in the bargain: it would go to the semifinals for only the second time since 1992. But that is a long way off.
But for the moment the other results give them a glimmer of hope: Spain diminishing and with two of its very best Santi Freixa and Pablo Amat walking wounded and out of the event, Argentina have lost both their encounters so far, Great Britain’s campaign also hitting snags from a draw against South Africa while the Aussies reign supreme. If they could somehow win and get full three points from their two next games against Great Britain on Friday and South Africa Sunday, even if they lose to the rampaging Aussies, they might still have done enough to barge into the top four. That at this point however seems a bridge too far, falling in the realm of daydreaming. And it would be in the fitness of things if they tackled things as they come.
The win against Argentina though has rekindled hope – and not a moment too soon.
Against Argentina, the best of the lot from the South American continent, Pakistan was good enough but not really overwhelming. At points they looked downright scrappy.
The good thing however is that while the forwards seem shy of finding rhythm in their movement and the finishing is below par – nowhere near one expects at such a level – the defence is holding exceptionally well. One could say that they have so far not really been tested, and a top outfit may indeed have been able to punch holes. That said, one has to concede they have mostly been doing the basics right in tackling and interception, pretty decent marking and everyone showing the energy to fall back. And they are doing it without getting easily flustered. That is why they have been able to thwart both Spain and Argentina, allowing just one goal in a flash to Spain.
On Wednesday, Pakistani forays deep into Argentine side were many, but nothing really remotely threatening enough to land them a goal. The intent to get a short corner didn’t seem to be a priority – and that indeed was a surprise. Yet Pakistan drew its first blood through Muhammad Imran’s strike on its short corner when in the 30th minute Muhammad Waqas was brought down inside the circle. Such was Pakistan’s domination in terms of possession that Imran Shah under the cross bar had remained idle throughout.
The second half, Argentina came with intent to find the equalizer, but it was Pakistan that doubled its lead, this time Sohail Abbas scooping waist high tearing into the middle to deposit the ball into the net. Up 2-0 in the 44th minute, Pakistan from thereon should have coasted. But Argentina showing resolve regrouped to launch their own counterattack, getting four penalty corners, not converting any to a combination of Pakistani defenders and ‘keeper dashing well. Akhtar Rasool, the Pakistan manager, is a satisfied man: having lost two points from the draw against Spain, his team has bounced back to stay in the tournament. He is aware of the flaws: “we have not been able to score field goals. That is an aberration that we shall make an endeavour to rectify”. That they better did, for playing at home, a wounded Great Britain would come back at them hard.