Pakistan got back from 1-0 down to level the score via Sohail Abbas but were unable to stop the Australian attack afterwards. —Dawn News Updates
KARACHI: Pakistan were left reeling in the Azlan Shah Cup, when they were handed a 5-1 thrashing by world champions Australia on Monday.
A day after suffering their first defeat of the tournament against Great Britain, Pakistan were dealt another blow by the pre-tournament favourites at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia.
The match started off with an emphatic approach from Australia, who played a major part of the opening minutes in the Pakistani half.
Pakistan captain Muhammad Imran was impressive as he stopped two Australian attacks in the third and sixth minutes.
Australia earned their first penalty corner in the 14th minute, but failed to convert. Two minutes later, it was Pakistan’s turn for an attempt on goal with a penalty corner, but Imran’s shot was saved by George Bazeley.
Australia took the lead through a controversial penalty stroke in the 23rd minute when Simon Orchard sent Imran the wrong way.
Expert drag-flicker Sohail Abbas brought Pakistan level in the 29th minute, when he slotted the ball home in the top corner of the box from Pakistan’s third penalty corner of the match.
With the score at 1-1, both teams continued to attack and Australia took the lead a minute before half time through Jason Wilson’s open field goal.
Pakistan forced a penalty corner a minute upon the resumption of the match but this time Bazeley denied Sohail.
Australia consolidated their lead in the 41st minute through Simon Orchard through a long-range strike and from then on, it was an all-Australian show.
Goals from Christopher Ciriello in the 51st minute and Wilson 55th minute sealed Pakistan’s misery against the world champions.
Pakistan will face arch rivals India in their next match, on Wednesday, before playing their last league match against hosts Malaysia on Friday.
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