AUSTRALIA 5 PAKISTAN 5
The new look Pakistani team produced a master class performance at the Astro turf in Ipoh, to stun World champions Australia through a 5-5 draw at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
The Pakistanis made a resounding comeback after the Aussies had taken a 4-1 lead at one stage and could have even won it in the dying seconds if not for Mohamad Zubair’s miss.
Australia was all over Pakistan in the opening minutes but it took them 11 minutes to open their accounts via Timothy Bates.
But some fine work by Timothy Bates opened up the Pakistani defence and the ball was relayed to Grant Schubert who put Australia 2-0 ahead in the 17th minute.
Pakistan reduced the deficit in the 21st minute when Muhamad Rizwan scored from an acute angle. However Australia regained two-goal advantage when Christopher Ciriello scored off their third penalty corner in the 26th minute.
Ciriello scored his second of the day in the 40th minute and Pakistan was a beaten side.
Against the run of pay, Pakistan reduced the deficit to 4-2 when Irfan and Rizwan combined brilliantly piercing open the Australian defence in the middle with Irfan having the final touch to score in the 53rd minute.
Pakistan was awarded their first penalty corner of the match in the 58th minute and up stepped skipper Muhammad Imran sent a low flick past Meadows to stun the Aussies.
Then Grant Schubert struck for Australia to make it 5-3 in the 61st minute but Muhamad Umar Bhutta made it 5-4 in the 64th minute.
Imran scored off a penalty corner in the 69th minute to ensure a grandstand finish.
CHINA 5 EGYPT 1
Asians China recorded their first win in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after four matches defeating tournaments favourite whipping boys Egypt 5-1.
With the win China has virtually ensured that Egypt finishes on the last spot as the Africans have to play Pakistan and India and win both matches to avoid the wooden spoon.
And after a few near misses, a reverse stick shot from Hossam Gobran broke their Africans duck in the 11th minute, and the Muslim team immediately bowed down on the artificial turf to say thanks to Allah.
But even before the celebrations died down, China drew level with a field goal from Liu Yixian in the 15th minute.
Cui Yongxin struck in the 24th minute, taking the lead as they went hunting for with a field attempt from
China increased their lead in the 34th minute, when Na Yubo slammed home on the top of the net.
The second half saw China increase their lead in the 40th minute through Sun, long before Luo Fangming made it 5-1 in the 43rd minute.
MALAYSIA 5 INDIA 2
In a stunning reversal hosts Malaysia hammered defending champions India 5-2 in thus avenging their defeat in the final last year
The Malaysians gave a tremendous performance to out play their fancied rivals thus keeping alive their hopes of making the final alive.
In the 27th minute Malaysia were awarded their third penalty corner when Faisal was brought down by Amit Prabhakar in the 25.
Mohd Amin Rahim scored the first goal in the 27th minute to put Malaysia 1-0 ahead with a flick that was deflected in by Indian custodian as he attempted push it out.
Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin produced a mesmerizing run down the left flank before unleashing a reverse stick shot that sailed into the top net to put Malaysia 2-0 ahead in the 39th minute.
Mohd Razie Abd Rahman sank the Indians with a powerful reverse hit into the Indian goal two minutes later to make it 3-0.
India reduced the deficit when Danish Mujtaba scored off a penalty corner attempt by Rupinder Pal and slotted it into goal in the 44th minute.
Amin scored his second for the day and Malaysia’s fourth in the 47th minute and the Malaysians added the fifth through Azreen Rizal Nasir scored the fifth in the 60th minute.
Ravi Pal reduced the margin of defeat by scoring India's second in the 68th minute but by that time the celebrations in that stands had started.
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