Pakistan defeats Ireland by 2-1 to lift the Four-Nations Cup
Pakistan men’s national hockey team defeated the Irish outfits by 2-1 in the final to emerge as victorious in the Four-Nations Cup played at University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland.
The Greenshirts did not start their campaign well in the event, as they lost their opening fixture against France, relatively a low ranked team, but after that they really put their efforts for what they were capable and scored win in their next two games
to book their berth in the final. They defeated China and Ireland in their next two fixtures in an impressive style.
Although the match was played in a competitive and entertaining way as the Irish men really gave a very tough time to Greenshirts yet Pakistan were quite impressive and dominant with their pace, dribbling skills and classy stick work.
Having defeated Ireland in the previous encounter, Pakistan looked very confident in the final, which eventually led them to the victory stand.
The first half started with the clear dominance of Greenshirts in the early minutes, where they put forward a number of good efforts, but remained unlucky due to the brilliance of Irish goal-keeper, who acted like a barrier between Greenshirts and the net.
The Irish team was more pressurised in the 13th minute, when Loughrey was sent off the field due to a severely committed foul, but their defence line really showed great determination in protecting their goal-post. Ireland too had their chances
throughout the first half, but Pakistan’s defence along with their goal-keeper, Salman Akbar, proved enough to stop the Irish attacks. So the first half ended goal-less and both of the teams went to interval without opening their account.
In the second half Pakistan’s efforts brought them to click the score-board just five minutes after the start. Sohail Abbas, the best drag flick converter in the world, did it for Pakistan in the 40th minute by successfully throwing a drag flick
into the Irish net. Ireland replied in 54th minute, when John Jermyn equalised the score on a penalty-corner. However, Sohail Abbas, once again scored the decider in 57th minute, just three minutes after the equaliser by the Irish.
“It’s a morale-boosting result for our boys. The current tour of Europe is aimed at preparing the team for the Olympic Games and it’s great that we have started it with a title,” Khawaja Junaid, the Pakistan team's manager, explained with pleasure.
Meanwhile, the Greenshirts now have a huge task in front of them as they have arrived in Amstelveen, Netherlands, where they will be tested by Germany, Netherlands and England in Rabo Four-Nations Trophy starting from June 28.
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