Pakistan surge into the Finals of the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – Hockey Recap
Pakistan ousted Malaysia 3-2, to book a place in the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, being held at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia today.
The seven-nation Malaysian Invitational will get finalised tomorrow, declaring the Sultan Azlan Shah trophy in the name of the winner.
The match closed with a one-goal lead for Pakistan 3-2, over the World’s 15th ranked Malaysia. Pakistan has qualified for the final that will be played against one of their toughest adversaries, Australia.
During the first-half, the Malaysian side dominated the ball possession, making exchanges that resulted into a control turn-over, in favour of Pakistan. Pakistan made an attack and received their first penalty corner in the seventh minute. As a result, drag-flick
expert, Sohail Abbas struck a shot into the goal in the eighth minute mark, opening the scores at a 1-0 lead for Pakistan.
In return, Malaysia responded with their first penalty corner in the 14th minute but they missed their chance and continued to struggle for an equaliser. Malaysia’s Kevinder missed a sitter in the 17th minute followed by Pakistan’s
third penalty corner that went wasted when Sohail flicked it outside the goal post.
In the next three minutes, Pakistan’s Muhammad Waqas delivered a shot into the net, advancing the team’s lead to 2-0. The rest of the match went score-less until the last minute, when Malaysia’s Hafifi Hafiz Hanafi slotted a shot, reducing the Malaysian
trail to 1-2.
The first half closed with Pakistan leading, 2-1.
As the second half set-off, Malaysia were in total control of the ball. In the 40th minute, Malaysia received a penalty corner but was score-less due to a poor execution.
The Green Sticks then earned a penalty corner in the 43rd minute but Malaysian goal-keeper, Roslan, made a good save. In the next four minutes, Malaysia returned with another penalty corner but was denied by Pakistani goal-keeper, Nabil.
In the 49th minute, Malaysia’s Hafifi missed to score an equaliser. Pakistan was again on the rush into the Malaysian defensive circle, when Shakeel Abbasi scored another goal for Pakistan in the 51st minute, stretching the lead to
3-1.
Malaysia did dominate the ball possession for a long time, but failed to match-up with the pace of the game. The hosts received their fourth penalty corner and sealed their second goal of the game in the 57th minute. The goal did give Malaysia
a glimpse of hope, setting the scores to 3-2, with Pakistan still in the lead.
In the last three minutes, Malaysia received a penalty stroke but the decision was reversed by referee, Shin. Pakistan stood defensive in the last minutes of the match and the half concluded at 3-2, with Green Sticks qualifying into the final match to be
held tomorrow.
The encounter tomorrow is sure to be an interesting one, as an inspired Pakistani team will be looking to challenge the dominating World Number One team, Australia. With the form both teams are in, the game is sure to be a sitter.
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