Australian men managed to gain full points in a tough fight against Pakistan in the ongoing CWG in Delhi.

This is third straight victory for the reigning World Cup Champions, and which ensure their majestic entry into the semis slot.

Australia converted a penalty corner to outwit the fighting Australians. The lone goal was scored by Chris Ciriello in the 33rd minute.

Pakistan earned a Penalty Corner at the stroke of hooter, but could not make use of it. In any stretch of imagination, it was fight between the equals.

Pakistan made the World Champions Australian virtually sweat for each move. Pakistan goalie Imran Shah was a picture of confidence, so also the defence manned by Imran Mohd, and Zeeshan Ashraff.

Pakistan matched each move of Australians with vigour and vitality, their forwardline and midfield functioning like a well oiled machine. A couple of shots at goals were really goalbearing and for that the entire Australian defence had to stretch fully.

Midway through first half, Rizwan effected s stinching shot from top of the circle, but Australian goalie Nathan in a quick relex managed to palm it away. This was a sure goal it appeared but for the excellent relex shown by the Aussie goalie.

Shakeel Abbasi appreciated his team’s goalie Imran and said that in today’s hockey, the goalkeeper is vital. Imran made some great saves and was our best player for the day”.

On his part Imran said that the goals he saved were because he was part fo the team.

Coach Michel van den Heuvel was happy that they could make it hard for Australia all the 70m minutes.

He sounded optimistic when said, “We have a young team and we need a little extra power and luck, but we ill get to that”.

Australian coach Ric Charlesworth was upbeat not only with the score but also the chances the team made in the match: “We converted one, they converted zero. But we had 16 or so chacnes and they only had five or six. That tells us something. You have tyo look behind the scored, and that’s what coaches do.”