Great Britain versus Pakistan: 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – Mid-Match Analysis
Pakistan is currently locked horns with Great Britain in the eight contest of the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup, going on at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia on May 08.
In the opening half, the British side opened up in good form and established their early dominance on the field with great ball control. In the very early minutes, Great Britain was found striking the Pakistani defensive circle. But, the defensemen from
the Greenshirts blocked the strikes comfortably and cleared the ball out of the 25-yard line.
However, Robert Moore managed to take the ball inside the circle in the 7th minute, struck a simple flicking shot to past Imran Shah, opening the score at 1-0. After conceding the first goal of the day, Pakistan started a mature game and returned
back into the game. Both sides were playing fast and furious game, as one wanted to level the score, while other wanted to hold back the lead.
Fabled hockey star, Rehan Butt, carried out the strike after getting a tap from Waseem Ahmed, but it was deflected by the British custodian. On the other side, Pakistan showed sloppy defence on the field giving British attackers many chances. James Tindall
struck a powerful shot in the 22nd minute of the match at the Pakistani goal, but it went wide.
On the other side, Shakeel Abbasi, failed to catch an easy pass from Haseem Khan, as it could made the score level. In the very next minute, Imran Shah made a crucial save by diving against the strike from Simon Mentall.
In a counter-offence, Pakistan earned their first short-corner of the game in the 27th minute of the game. However, James Fair, the custodian of English team palmed a high flicking shot from Sohail Abbas. The Greenshirts earned another short-corner
in the 31st minute of the game and this time Sohail Abbas did not miss the shot and had it all even at 1-1.
The opening half of play concluded with both sides hanging on to a one-all tie. Currently, the second period commenced as both squads are struggling to get dominance onto the score-board
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