PERTH, Oct 18: Pakistan squandered a huge 4-0 lead as Argentina fought hard to force an enthralling 5-5 draw in their match at the Super Series Hockey 9s competition here on Friday.
Pakistan and Argentina played out a heart-stopping draw that left the crowd not knowing what was going to happen next.
The match will have huge ramifications leading into the final day of preliminaries as only Malaysia are out of contention for a spot in Sunday’s final. Pakistan, slick by foot and stick, were ahead 4-0 before Argentina clawed back the next five in the second half.
Two goals in mere seconds to Matias Paredes and then Guido Barreiros sparked huge celebrations as the Lions hit the front for the first time, a minute from full time. From the ensuing re-start Pakistan whisked the ball down their end for one more twist as Mohammad Dilber, the tournament’s leading scorer with five, sprawled onto the ball and edged it through.
Either side of half time Pakistan turned the contest on its head after a tough first 15 minutes. Pakistan’s pace in and around the goal circle worried Argentina and Mohammad Rizwan Junior scored to make it 2-0 after an early deflection by Dilber.
A counter-attacking special initiated by Shafqat Rasool was polished off by Dilber, who angled the ball into the net for a 3-0 half time score favouring the Pakistanis.
The green-shirts didn’t cool off during the interval as Shafqat nearly blazed a bouncing ball through the goals seconds after the resumption.
Argentina strived for parity in the battle, if not on the board, as both benches barked out instructions.
It would come step by step for the Lions, trying to make up the large deficit. With a Pakistan stick in front of him Lucas Rossi scored in the 23rd minute.
Two more would come in the next 10 minutes in field play from Lucas Rey and Agustin Mazzilli before the thrilling concluding flurry.
Pakistan meet the Kookaburras on Saturday in a clash that could well see a loser missing out on Sunday’s final, with Argentina’s Lions facing off against Malaysia.
Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan had defeated Malaysia 5-3.—Agencies
Pakistan and Argentina played out a heart-stopping draw that left the crowd not knowing what was going to happen next.
The match will have huge ramifications leading into the final day of preliminaries as only Malaysia are out of contention for a spot in Sunday’s final. Pakistan, slick by foot and stick, were ahead 4-0 before Argentina clawed back the next five in the second half.
Two goals in mere seconds to Matias Paredes and then Guido Barreiros sparked huge celebrations as the Lions hit the front for the first time, a minute from full time. From the ensuing re-start Pakistan whisked the ball down their end for one more twist as Mohammad Dilber, the tournament’s leading scorer with five, sprawled onto the ball and edged it through.
Either side of half time Pakistan turned the contest on its head after a tough first 15 minutes. Pakistan’s pace in and around the goal circle worried Argentina and Mohammad Rizwan Junior scored to make it 2-0 after an early deflection by Dilber.
A counter-attacking special initiated by Shafqat Rasool was polished off by Dilber, who angled the ball into the net for a 3-0 half time score favouring the Pakistanis.
The green-shirts didn’t cool off during the interval as Shafqat nearly blazed a bouncing ball through the goals seconds after the resumption.
Argentina strived for parity in the battle, if not on the board, as both benches barked out instructions.
It would come step by step for the Lions, trying to make up the large deficit. With a Pakistan stick in front of him Lucas Rossi scored in the 23rd minute.
Two more would come in the next 10 minutes in field play from Lucas Rey and Agustin Mazzilli before the thrilling concluding flurry.
Pakistan meet the Kookaburras on Saturday in a clash that could well see a loser missing out on Sunday’s final, with Argentina’s Lions facing off against Malaysia.
Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan had defeated Malaysia 5-3.—Agencies
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