Back-to-back defeats for Pak in Azlan Shah hockey
Pakistan slumped to their second successive defeat in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament, while hosts Malaysia registered back-to-back victories in the five-nation event, here today.
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Ipoh, April 06: Pakistan slumped to their
second successive defeat in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey
tournament, while hosts Malaysia registered back-to-back
victories in the five-nation event, here today.Pakistan`s chances of qualifying for the April 12 final
received a severe jolt today, losing 2-3 to title favourites
New Zealand in a round-robin match.
Malaysia, on the other hand, came one step closer towards
the title clash when they thrashed Egypt 4-1 in the second
match of the day.
The encounter between New Zealand and Pakistan was a
close fought battle as the match went till the wire with the
Black Sticks sealing the victory just two minutes from the
hooter.
The Black Sticks, who came into the event with a young
squad, scored through Priyesh Bana (seventh minute), Nicholas
Haig (44th), and Dean Couzins (68th), while Dilawar Hussain
(eighth) and Mohamed Imran (23) found the net for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the other match between Malaysia and newcomers
Egypt was a one-sided affair with the hosts sounding the board
thrice in the second half to score their second successive win
in the invitational tournament.
Ismail Abu (27th minute), Engku Abdul Malek (39th), Chua
Boon Huat (64th, 68th) found the net for the hosts, while
Ahmed Abd El Hakiem (45th) was the lone goal scorer for Egypt.
Pakistan had a disastrous start to the tournament
yesterday as Malaysia, ranked 15th in the world, beat them in
identical scoreline.
Egypt, on the other hand, stunned India yesterday by
holding them to 2-2 draw in the tournament opener.
After a rest day tomorrow, India will take on Malaysia on
Wednesday, hoping to put an end to their winning streak while
New Zealand will be up against less-formidable Egypt in the
other match of the day.
Bureau Report
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