Azlan Shah Cup: Pakistan book final date with Australia

Round-up of matches on day 7 (14 May 2011)

Pakistan 3 (Sohail Abbas, Waqas Akbar, Shakeel Abbasi) beat Malaysia 2 (Hafifhafiz Hanafi, Mohammad Razie Abdul Rahim) - Half-Time 2-1

Although Pakistan had to win against Malaysia but their fate relied on Britain’s clash with South Korea in the last leg of pool matches today. In case of British victory, Pakistan needed to inflict a heavy defeat on the hosts Malaysia. Koreans upset Britain 1-3 to give Pakistan hope of reaching the final as they just required a win which they did by prevailing over Malaysia 3-2.

Malaysia started brightly, but it was Sohail Abbas who gave Pakistan early lead by converting a penalty corner in the 8th minute. After Malaysia missed a couple chances, Sohail had another opportunity but his drag-flick went wide in the 20th minute. Waqas Akbar scored a field goal next minute to give Pakistan a 2-0 lead. Hafifhafiz Hanafi reduced the margin by scoring for the hosts just before half-time.

Pakistan were denied early goal in the second half, but Shakeel Abbasi gave Pakistan 3-1 lead in the 51st minute to get the ball rolling for the Green Shirts. Mohammad Razie Abdul Rahim scored from a penalty corner to give the home team a chance to finish on high in the 57th minute. Pakistan defence managed to thwart Malaysian attacks in the last ten minutes of the match to ensure Asian Games champions march into the final.

Pakistan has a chance now to beat tournament’s undefeated team Australia to win the Cup for the fourth time, but they have an uphill task on their hands.

South Korea 3 (Yoon Sung Hoon, Jang Jong Hyun, You Hyo Sik) beat Great Britain 1 (Mathew Daly) - Half-Time 2-1

Britain’s hopes of a place in the final were dashed when they had to contend with demoralizing loss to Korea. Yoon Sung Hoon put Korea ahead in the 10th minute after receiving a perfect pass from Jeon Byung Jin. Mathew Daly equalized for Britain through a thunderous strike off their 2nd penalty corner in the 20th minute. Daly was sent out two minutes later after a yellow card offence. This helped Korea attack further and they capitalized by scoring their second goal through Jang Jong Hyun in the 23rd minute.

After the half, Korea continued to dominate Britain and went 3-1 ahead in the 41st minute when You Hyo Sik scored off a rebound.

Australia 4 (Brett Dancer, Glenn Turner 2, Christopher Ciriello) beat New Zealand 2 (Steven Edwards, Marcus Child) - Half-Time 4-1

In the last match of the group stage, Australia tested their muscles to good effect ahead of the final against Pakistan by beating the Black Sticks. Brett Dancer made Australia’s first penalty corner cunt, as he went through the legs of wicket-keeper of Stephen Grahams in the 8th minute. Glenn Turner stunned New Zealand by two back-to-back strikes in the 15th and 16th minute to give his team a comfortable lead.

Christopher Ciriello made it 4-0 in the 28th minute, but New Zealand reduced the margin by one goal when Steven Edwards scored for them in the 31st minute.

Marcus Child made sure New Zealand would play the 3rd place play-off with Great Britain, when he scored second goal for his team 7 minutes before the final whistle. New Zealand needed to be ahead on goal difference by four in order to edge ahead of India and by scoring two late goals late in each half they did that. India and South Korea will now play the 5-6 place tie.

FINAL POINTS TABLE
№ Team Played Points
1 Australia ------- 6 ------- 16
2 Pakistan -------- 6 ------- 12
3 Great Britain -- 6 ------- 9
4 New Zealand --- 6 ------- 7
5 India -------------- 6 --------- 7
6 Korea ------------- 6 --------- 7
7 Malaysia --------- 6 -------- 3