Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan defeated Malaysia and qualified for the final of Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament in Kuantan, Malaysia where the greenshirts will face their traditional rivals India on Sunday (today) for the championship title. Pakistan defeated Malaysia on a penalty shootout after their semifinal match was tied with the scoreline 1-1 at full time. Pakistan lost their group matches against hosts Malaysia 4-2 , India 3-2 while winning against South Korea 1-0, Japan 4-3 and China 4-0. Malaysia opened the scoring when they converted their first penalty corner courtesy Shahril Saabah’s drag in the 18th minute. Abdul Khan then rose to the occasion and tucked in from a deflection in the 34th minute to bring Pakistan on level terms.

The match went into a shoot-out where the Pakistan goalkeeper denied Malaysia the chance to score on three different occasions. The final score on shoot-out was 4-2 as Pakistan players celebrated their entry into the final against India. Pakistan head coach Khawaja Junaid Ahmad said this on Pakistan’s victory: “Penalty shoot-out is anybody’s game. We are very lucky to be in the fourth consecutive final. We had a weak side when we came here.” On facing India in the final, Junaid said: “Final is a game of nerve. Team who plays good hockey will win. Team who keeps his structure will win.”

Earlier in the first semi-final, India also defeated Korea on shoot-out to book a berth in the final. The Indians held off a strong challenge from the Koreans to win 5-4 (2-2) via penalty shoot-out in the first semi-final of the day. The two sides were locked 2-2 at the end of the regulation time. For India, Talwinder Singh, Ramandeep Singh found the target in the regulation time while Seo Inwoo and Yang Jihun scored for the Koreans. In the penalty shoot-out, Sardar Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Akashdeep and Rupinder Pal Singh scored as India entered the final.

Rupinder also stepped up to convert the penalty stroke which was awarded to India after South Korean goalkeeper D Hong hit the legs of Birendra Lakra with his stick during the fifth and final shootout effort.

Indian captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who took his place under the bar after being sidelined for two round-robin matches due to an ankle injury, stopped the fifth and final South Korean player in the penalty shoot-out, paving the way for India’s win.