Pakistan edge South Korea in ACT

KARACHI: Pakistan defeated South Korea 1-0 in the 4th Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia.

The 13th-ranked Green-shirts had lost their first match 2-4 to 14th-ranked Malaysia.

The solitary goal of the exciting contest came in the last minute. Off Pakistan’s fourth penalty corner, instead of going direct, Aleem Bilal pushed the ball towards the left side of the goal and Haseem Khan dived to flick the ball in, to give 13th-ranked Pakistan a well-deserved victory.

Although the 60 minute play saw just one goal there were plenty of thrills in the game which saw attacking play throughout.

There was a lot of goal mouth action and both the net minders shone.

South Korea failed to convert seven penalty corners. 

Pakistani rushers Ejaz and Rizwan Senior halted the opponents’ penalty corner strikes on the top of the circle taking them on stick or foot. On a couple of occasions, when the Koreans opted for indirect drill, Pakistani defence was up to the task. 

Pakistanis displayed good team work and understanding. They had more possession and made seven attempts on the goal of the 17 circle penetrations as compared to Korea’s five out of 13.

Pakistan face arch-rivals India on Sunday (tomorrow), the most eagerly awaited encounter of the event.