Pakistan, Malaysia play draw in Asian Champions Trophy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan threw away an easy two-goal advantage playing some reckless game in the last two quarters to draw the opening match of Asian Hockey Champions Trophy against Malaysia at Hulunbuir City of Inner Mongolia (China) Sunday.

Following early pressure exerted by Malaysia, Pakistan netted through Sufyan Khan whose timely push banged the top half of the net as Pakistan scored their first goal in the 24th minute against the run of play. Pakistan doubled the lead in the third quarter with Nadeem’s sole effort helping Zakaria Hayat to tap in for the second goal in the 32nd minute.

Pakistan could not hold on to their two-goal advantage going into the last two quarters of play with Faisal Saahri converting one in the 38th minute dodging the otherwise solid Abdullah in the right corner to make it 2-1. Aiman Rozemi converted an indirect penalty corner to draw 2-2 level in the 56th minute.

For majority of the 60 minutes of play, Pakistan played with 10 or fewer players as Hannan Shahid was shown a yellow card and green to three others. Pakistan were awarded numerous penalty corners but the team failed to make the best of the opportunities coming their way. The Greenshirts scored one of the seven they received.