Australia and Korea split points

S. Thyagarajan

Ipoh: The focus on Thursday was on identifying the possible finalists. A lot of attention was riveted on the Korea-Australia clash. But neither won, instead shared four goals, in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament.

Who the cup contenders will be on Sunday continues to be a guessing game. They are unlikely to be spotted before the final set of matches on Saturday evening.

Big win for Pakistan

Australia and Korea have eight points each after the drawn match. Even Pakistan, which defeated Egypt 6-2, has an outside chance to play the final.

The home team had to beat off a fierce challenge from China to ensure full points. The 2-1 victory catapulted Malaysia to the top of the table with 11 points after finishing the schedule of six matches.

India is lying second with a tally of 10 points with a tie remaining against Egypt on Saturday.

Given the significance attached to the match, both Australia and Korea were circumspect from the start. Pace was not as predominant as much as keeping possession of the ball.

Australia held the initial advantage, thanks to surging moves initiated by Grant Schubert and Kieran Govers. The latter put the team ahead early enough to gain better command of the exchanges in the area.

The Koreans fought the issue with all the tenacity they could muster. With skipper Lae Suang leading from front the forwards exerted enough pressure on the Aussie defenders.

Korea had four penalty corners, but the defenders, goalkeeper George Bazeley in particular, held firm. Late in the first half the Koreans levelled from a penalty stroke through Nam Hyun Woo. The Aussies felt the award by the Ghana umpire, Richmond Attipoe, was harsh.

Brilliant goal

Matt Gohdes scored a brilliant goal after receiving from the left flank beating onrushing goalkeeper Lee Myung Ho with a perfect lob. The Aussies looked well settled to pick up full points. When 11 minutes remained for close, came the equaliser off an immaculate penalty corner shot by Hwan Jong Ho.

Pakistan’s victory brought it within striking distance of finding a spot in the final. The team has eight points along with Korea and Australia with a match against Korea to come off on Saturday. It may all boil down to goal difference and goal aggregate in the end.

Friday is a rest day.

The results: Pakistan 6 (Tauseeq Muhammad, Zubair Muhammad, Zeeshan Ali, Abdul Hassem, Waqar Muhammad, Haseen Khan) bt Egypt 2 (Hassan Muhammad).

Australia 2 (Kieran Govers, Matt Ghodes) drew with Korea 2 (Nam Hyun Woo, Hwan Jong Ro).

Malaysia 2 (Rahim Amin, Azlan Misron) bt China 1 (Liu Yixian).