Thaindian News

By Avishek Roy
New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Pakistan’s best was not enough to stop Australia from sneaking a 2-1 victory over the four times champions in pool B of the Hockey World Cup here Monday.

Veteran Sohail Abbas scored first, converting a penalty cornerin the 24th minute to put Pakistan 1-0 up at the halftime. Desmond Abbott then equalised in the 38th minute and struck the winner seven minutes from the final hooter.

Australia thus finished the league engagements with 12 points, same as England, but top the pool on goal difference.

It was Australia’s third consecutive World Cup win against Pakistan after losing the first three between the two teams.

Australia were almost through to the last four even before Monday’s game. The only way Spain could have pipped the Kookaburras was by defeating England by a bigger margin.

It was Pakistan’s fourth loss in the tournament, their only win coming against Spain. They, however, played their hearts out against Australia.

The forward line made several moves while the defence was better organised. Veteran goalkeeper Salman Akbar, who drew a flak for below par performance in the earlier matches, made some good saves.

In fact, Pakistan could have easily walked away with a win had they converted their chances in the dying minutes. Perhaps, it was their lack of confidence that let them down.

Australian captain Jamie Dwyer later admitted that it was one of the better performances from Pakistan and it could have been anybody’s game.

Sohail, who had been in the line of fire for his poor penalty-corner conversions here, found his drag-flicking click to open the account.

The second half livened up with both teams increasing the pace and attack with purpose.

Abbott equalised finding the far corner from the top of the circle latching on to a through ball from Kiel Brown.

Pakistan missed two penalty corners in the second half. Shakeel Abbasi could have put Pakistan ahead, but missed two easy chances.

Muhammad Irfan, who raided the Australian defence with his sizzling run down the flank, sent in a fine cross only to see Abbasi deflect it wide.

On the other occasion, Abbasi was left unmarked at the top of the Australian circle but his hit went high over the woodwork. The chances were far too many to waste against a top team like Australia.

Abbott sealed the match when he deflected in a pass from Robert Hammond.