Pakistan vs. New Zealand: Pakistan win first match of 20th Azlan Shah Hockey Cup – Hockey Recap
The first match of the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup between Pakistan and New Zealand concluded today at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia with Pakistan coming out victorious 4-2.
In the first half, Pakistan dominated the ball control since the opening minute. In the second minute Pakistani striker, Umar Bhutta was found in the Malaysian defensive circle, attempting a shot towards the goal, but the ball was cleared.
Striker Muhammad Rizwan Senior discovered a gap and hit the ball past New Zealand’s goal-keeper, opening the score 1-0 in the third minute of the match. New Zealand immediately attempted a counter-attack but failed despite a solitary effort by Stephen Jenness.
Both teams were trying to take the ball possession when Pakistan’s Bhutta made a run through the mid-field, but once again failed to hit past New Zealand’s goal-keeper Kyle Pontifex in the 16th minute.
However, in the 22nd minute Pakistan played a short corner on which a foul occurred and the team received their first penalty corner in the very next minute. This penalty corner was converted when Syed Kashif Shah attempted a rebound as Kyle denied
a shot made by the penalty-corner expert Sohail Abbas, taking the lead to 2-0 in the 24th minute of the match.
In the 29th minute, Pakistan received their second penalty corner that was brilliantly saved by the Kiwi goal-keeper.
New Zealand gained control of the ball advancing towards Pakistan’s defensive circle. However, in the 33rd minute an attempt from New Zealand’s Blair Hilton was beautifully cleared by the Pakistan goal-keeper, Imran Shah.
New Zealand was down, trying to make-up when they received their first penalty corner in the closing 35th minute of the first half.
The penalty corner was wasted when the horn was blown and a quick-shot from the Kiwi side was cleared, closing the first half at 2-0.
In the second half, Pakistan continued dominating the field, when in the 40th minute Pakistan received another penalty corner, but Kyle denied the shot played by the world-record holder Sohail Abbas.
In the 44th minute, Pakistan’s Shakeel Abbasi rushed towards the Kiwi defensive circle, however no goals were attempted.
Pakistan’s Abbasi made a pass into the New Zealand defensive circle that was picked up by Muhammad Waqas. He saw Abdul Haseem Khan free in the circle and threw a pass at him, which was beautifully struck into the goal, taking the score to 3-0 in the 51st
minute.
New Zealand answered back with their third penalty corner in the 53rd minute but was yet again cleared by Imran Shah.
Pakistan tried to attack, but the ball was taken by the Black Sticks and they rushed into Pakistan’s defensive circle and received their fourth penalty corner, this time converting it into a score 3-1. This goal was shot by Andrew Hayward in the 59th
minute.
Pakistan’s counter-attack sealed their fourth goal in the 61st minute, scored by Bhutta. This score was also responded by New Zealand as they sealed their second goal in the 63rd minute, through Hugo Inglis.
With the last two minutes ticking, New Zealand was beat at 4-2 when they received another penalty corner. However, it was wasted when the shot was cleared by Shah and the horn was blown, closing the match at 4-2.
Two more matches will be played today at the same venue namely India vs. Korea and Malaysia vs. Great Britain.
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