Azlan Shah Cup: Britain on top as sorry Pakistan slip further down

Round-up of matches on day 4

Australia 5 (Simon Orchard, Jason Wilson 2, Simon Orchard, Christopher Ciriello) beat Pakistan 1 (Sohail Abbas) - Half-Time 2-1

After starting the tournament on a high note by winning first two matches, Pakistan slumped to two defeats in two days. As if the loss against Britain yesterday was not enough, tournament favourites Australia thrashed Pakistan today with a 5-1 margin to give their title hopes a severe blow.

Australia scored through a controversial penalty stroke in the 23rd minute. Sohail Abbas scored the equalizer in the 29th minute by converting a penalty corner.

Jason Wilson ensured Australia go into the second half with a goal’s advantage by scoring at the stroke of the break. In the second half it was all Australia as they scored three more goals as Pakistan could not match their game.

Great Britain 3 (Richard Mantell, Jonty Clarke, Richard Alexander) beat New Zealand 1 (Shay Neal) - Half-Time 1-0

Great Britain played flawless hockey to reach at the top of the points table by toppling Black Sticks in the second match of the day. Mantell’s flick found its way into the goal when Britain was awarded a penalty corner in the 14th minute. Jonathan Clarke scored during a well-drilled penalty corner work-out in the 51st minute, while four minutes later; Richard Alexander made it 3-0 for Britons. New Zealand found a consolation goal through Shay Neal in the 60th minute of the match.

India 5 (Roshan Minz, Mandeep Antil, Rupinder Pal Singh, Sunil Sowmarpet, Antil) beat Malaysia 2 (Muhammad Azammi Adabi, Mohammad Shahrun Nabil) - Half-Time 4-1

India breezed passed hosts in a fast-paced match at Ipoh. After Indians had scored three goals within first 22 minutes, Malaysia had little chance to come back and win as Indians defended as efficiently as they attacked. Muhammad Azammi Adabi gave the home crowd something to celebrate when ho scored for his team in the 34th minute. Sunil Sowmarpet made it 4-1 at the stroke of half-time.

Mohammad Shahrun Nabil lifted hopes of his team when he scored in the 43rd minute for Malaysea. Saravanjit Singh’s yellow card meant India were reduced to ten men in the 48th minute, but Malaysia failed to capitalize on. Instead host’s Mohammad Razie Rahim was yellow-carded by the referee in the 57th minute as the match heated up. Antil rounded off a comprehensive win for India by scoring in the last minute.

After four days, the points table shows Great Britain on top with 9 points. Australia and India share 7 points to be on the 2nd and 3rd spots, while Pakistan is fourth with 6 points. Korea with 4 points and Australia have played only 3 matches apiece as opposed to other three teams who have played 4 matches. Tomorrow is the rest day.