ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first game of the three-match friendly series against Ireland ended in a 2-2 draw at Lisnagarvey.
An interesting edge of seat contest saw the hosts twice coming from behind to hold Pakistan 2-2, said a press release issued here.
In front of a packed house, the green shirts went ahead early in the 9th minute when Aleem Bilal converted a penalty corner with a powerful drag flick.
The lead did not last long. Connor Harte, who was playing his 200th international, availed a pass from Shane O’ Donoghue in the 17th minute.
Just two minutes before the half-time, Ali Shan restored the lead for Pakistan when he put in the ball after a Dilber try had rebounded off the goal keeper’s pads.
Ali Shan restored Pakistan’s lead before half-time but the tantalising battle continued on resumption as Jeremy Duncan’s late goal earned the Irish a draw.
In the last quarter, Jeremy Duncan finished off an excellent combined move involving Alan Sothern and Matthew Nelson to make it 2-2.
The second match of the three-Test series is scheduled on Saturday. After this, the national team would be playing the World Hockey League (WHL) semifinal round in London from June 15.
Reflecting on the tie, Conor Harte added that it was a strong showing in the second half for a side that has only recently fully grouped together for their summer programme.
“We can’t expect miracles just coming together like we have,” he said. “We have a squad of 28 or 29 against a Pakistan team that has been travelling around, playing Australia and New Zealand four times.
“They have to peak in 10 days [for their World League semi-final] so to get competitive matches like this is fantastic for us. To play the way we did in the second half is a testament to where we are going and how we are improving all the time.”
One of the facets of play that impressed was Ireland’s ability to work from the defensive platform into attacking positions with first time passes down the channels off powerful slaps from the centre.
After an even first half, it meant Ireland bypassed the traps laid by the Pakistani forwards.
