A vastly subdued and dispirited South Korea came in handy for Pakistan to retrieve huge consolation in the 10th Men’s Asia Cup. With the aid of hat-trick by Ajaz Mahmood, thrice title winners Pakistan posted six goals against South Korea while taking in three to obtain bronze, third for them in the Asia Cup history.

It was a hattrick of goals by Ajaz Ahmad (10′, 30′, 36′), Rashid Mehmood (26′) and Abu Mahmood (32′) that clinched a winner for Pakistan.

South Koreans were anything but impressive today.

Perhaps they were exhausted after drawing their all important Super 4s last match against Malaysia. Despite trailing for large part, Malaysia equalized just 1 minute 46 secs left in the clock. This draw took them to second spot in the Super 4s points table, while relegating four-time champions South Korea to fight for the bronze.

South Korea converted two goals through Suk Hoon Cho (20′) and Namyong Lee (43′), but it all came too late and too less to dent Pakistan’s hopes of a win.

Korea missed out on two back-to-back PCs in the final quarter but finally converted one with an improvised set piece that saw Inwoo Seo in the 55th minute to narrow the lead to 3-5. But it didn’t last long enough as Muhammad Yaqoob scored in the 56th minute to ensure a convincing 6-3 win.

Elated skipper Muhammad Irfan said, “If you see every match, there were a lot of chances that we were missing. But this match we ensured that didn’t happen. It was really good work put in by the boys. This is not the end of results for us. It is a new team and we will continue to strive for success.”

This is a mighty fall for four-time winners Koreans.

They were a threat to India-Pak monopoly in the last two decades. And are returning without a medal after 1985 Dhaka in which they made their maiden Asia Cup appearance.

2018 World Cup will be missing the Koreans, its place going to unfancied China.