Japan stun Pakistan to bag 3-nation hockey crown

ISLAMABAD: World’s 16th ranked Japan turned the tables on Pakistan 3-2 to win three-nation hockey tournament at Muscat’s Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex the other day.

It was the worst-ever showing by green shirts as they failed to win the event competed by much lesser ranked teams. Japan availed their first penalty corner in the fourth minute with a deceptive two touch indirect drill. Yamasaki, standing close to the goal, caressed the ball in with an extended flat stick.

A quick counter resulted in the second Japanese goal in the 12th minute after a spate of one touch passes. Pakistani defence was guilty of poor marking in the circle. Pakistan defense and forward line have no clue as what to do against barrage of attacks unleashed by Japan.

Minutes later Pakistan recover to pull back one when captain Rizwan Senior’s ball from left side went high in the circle off a defender’s stick and Arslan Qadir expertly put it in from near the goal. There was no goal in the second quarter.

In the second half also, the pattern was mostly the same; fluent hockey. Japanese displayed planned game with their attacks coming through swift counters.

One such turn-over resulted in the third Japanese goal in the 50th minute. Down by two goals with just 10 minutes left, Pakistan worked hard to come back. They had a couple of open chances and two penalty corners. Off their last penalty corner in the 56th minute Mubashar Ali’s strong push hit the board on goal keeper’s right.