Pakistan and South Korea produced a thrilling 3-3 draw in a 2021 Asian Champions Trophy encounter at the Maulana Bhasani stadium in Dhaka on Saturday. The point either team earned would be greeted in contrasting fashion. For South Korea it meant avoiding the fourth spot and thereby semi-final meeting with the top finisher in the five-nation league – in all probability India. For Pakistan, the single point isn’t enough to guarantee themselves a semi-final spot as well as an avoidance of fourth spot in the pool.

The Koreans, having finished their pool engagements have six points, one adrift of India at the top of the table who have a match against Japan in hand.

The permutations and combinations could be put on the back burner for the moment. Both Pakistan and South Korea are bidding to restore their glory days and if the day’s proceedings are of any indication, can look back with much satisfaction.

Under coach Siegfried Aikman, Pakistan are showing a marked improvement in defence and tactical awareness. The Green Shirts have also improved in creating attacking options and penalty corners suggested by six forced – two converted – on the day.

Korea have been battling hard in the tournament, coming back in each of their four encounters so far that have fetched three draws and a come-from-behind win over hosts Bangladesh on Friday.

After No. Jihun Yang saved his team with a block and clearance on the line after Hammaddudin crossed into the circle, Korea went ahead for a change with a lucky goal. No. Kyubeum Kim’s shot on goal took a deflection off Abubaker’s stick and lobbed into the Pakistan goal in the 13th minute.

Pakistan drew level in the 23rd minute when man-of-the-match Arfraz poached a goal after good work by Ghazanfar Ali on the right baseline. There was little to separate the teams at half-time in a taut encounter where veterans – midfield marshal Umar Bhutta of Pakistan and Jang Jonghyun of South Korea exerted influence of the highest order.

Pakistan it were who forged ahead three minutes into the second half when Junior World Cup captain Abdul Rana slotted home following a penalty corner even as Yang saved for the second time on the goalline but failed to get his clearance away on this occasion.

A series of four penalty corners came South Korea’s away but to no avail but one at the opposite end of the pitch led to a piece of spectacular action.

Abubaker’s attempt at the set-piece drew Jaehyeon Kim to a glove save and from the resultant lightning counter-attack, No.13 beat Mazhar Abbas who left his line and slotted into an empty goal to restore parity in the 42nd minute.

Pakistan threatened to score on two occasions early in the fourth quarter when a diving Rana failed to make contact with Ali Shan’s pass and Arfraz going close shortly later. After Pakistan frittered away two PC chances, South Korea were presented a gilt-edged chance of a penalty stroke after Yang’s drag flick found a foot on the line.

Jang stepped up to flick to Abbas’ right and make it 3-2, his second penalty stroke conversion in as many games but Pakistan and the match had still plenty to offer. It took a bit of drama of a referral, though, after Rana scored his brace, slotting home after a back-door routine.

The umpire disallowed the goal but the TV umpire thought otherwise and Pakistan were back on level terms with four minutes to go.

The draw suited Korea as time ticked away but Pakistan’s attempts to force the pace didn’t bring up an opportunity to score their first victory in the tournament.

Pic: File photo (Dhaka Asia Cup 2017)