Pakistan juniors beat Northern Territory to top pool

KARACHI: Pakistan junior hockey team’s successful journey in the Australian National Junior Hockey Championship continued with yet another victory against Northern Territory as they defeated them by 4-2, thanks to a sparkling performance by Umair Sattar, who scored a brace in the last pool match in Tasmania, on Monday.

Pakistan’s forwards were in top form and they played superb attacking game throughout the match.Pakistan sprinted out of the blocks and went ahead in the second minute through Ghazanfar Ali. At the end of the first half, Pakistan were leading 3-1.

Sheikhupura’s Umair Sattar netted two goals. Ifraz Khan also found the back of the net. Visitors’ all four goals came through field attempts.Northern Territory’s Harting and Nathan Hochman scored one goal each. 

With this victory, Pakistan topped the five-team pool.They will now feature in the playoffs, featuring four sides (the top two teams of each pool).Pakistan junior hockey team’s coach Kamran Ashraf said that he was relieved after this phenomenal victory. “We have finished our group at the top which is a big achievement. Despite lack of international exposure, our players played very well,” he said.

He said they had been pointing out the areas where the players need improvement. “We will try to overcome our shortcomings in the next matches. Maintaining consistency in all departments is the key,” he added.He said that the forwards are being more consistent and they played an important role in the team’s success.