Pakistan start with facile 4-2 win over New Zealand

IPOH (Malaysia): Asian Games champions Pakistan launched their campaign in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament with a facile 4-2 victory over a fighting New Zealand on Thursday.

Enjoying territorial dominance against the Black Sticks, Pakistan opened the scoring in the third minute through an opportunistic goal by Muhammad Rizwan Senior, who picked up the ball in crowded goalmouth and flicked past hapless goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex.

Kashif Shah increased the lead for Pakistan on the first penalty corner, capitalising on a rebound after a rising drag flick from Sohail Abbas was palmed away by the New Zealand goalkeeper.

Pakistan was not able to score a single goal directly from five penalty corners shots, but their firepower in field play was enough to give them a three-goal lead in the 51st minute when Abdul Haseem Khan scored with a flash strike.

Pakistan’s defence came under pressure when the New Zealanders forced a string of penalty corners, and succeeded in scoring their first goal on their fifth penalty corner through a low drag flick by Andrew Hayward in the 59th minute.

Pakistan shot back within two minutes to increase the lead again as Umar Bhutta beat the goalkeeper with a rasping shot from top of the circle to make it 4-1.

New Zealand reduced the margin in the 63rd minute on a fine counter by Hugo Inglis.

In the last match of the opening day, Britain beat hosts Malaysia 3-1 to launch their campaign on a winning note.

James Tindall opened England’s scoring in the 17th minute on a penalty corner rebound and Richard Smith made it 2-0 at the stroke of half-time with a field goal.

Malaysia pulled a goal back when captain Tengku Ahmas Tajudin shot on target in the 41st minute, only to see Robert Moore make it 3-1 for England in the 51st minute by deflecting a long shot from the left flank.