Aussies pip Pakistan 1-0

MELBOURNE: Kieran Govers’ controversial penalty corner goal proved to be the only difference as Australia struggled to break down a well-organised Pakistan outfit in the 34th Champions Trophy at the State Hockey Centre here on Tuesday.

The winning goal came from Australia midway through the second half (52nd minute), following a goal drought of over two hours for the hosts, who had played out a nil-all draw against the Netherlands on Sunday. Pakistan will now take on Olympic champions Germany in the quarter-finals on Thursday, while Australia will be pitted against England for a place in the semis. It was a spirited performance from the Pakistan team that did everything right except conceding the penalty corner that Ghana umpire Richmond Attipoe awarded to Australia following a delayed reaction.

A tackle from Pakistan striker Shafqat Rasool resulted in a yellow card and penalty corner providing Australia with the opportunity to hit the score sheet.

Govers made the most of the opportunity to make it 1-0. Pakistan camp lodged a strong protest as the head coach Akhtar Rasool rejected two penalties on one account.

Earlier, in a heated opening half, Pakistan started well, forcing the Kookaburras deep into their own half to work an early penalty corner which led to a heated discussion between the two teams.

The first half was totally dominated by Pakistan as they stormed Australian defense no less than five times during the first 30 minutes and twice were seen well placed to score the opener. In the eighth minute Shakil Abbasi missed an easy chance and two minutes later Umar Bhutta hit an open opportunity wide.

“It was a quick action reflection that needs total perfection. I thought the ball was going in,” Abbasi said. Both sides struggled to find an opening and the half finished 0-0. It was the Kookaburras who had the first real opportunity in the second half with a Jamie Dwyer’s angled shot saved with four minutes on the clock.

With ten minutes gone in the second term Shakeel Abbasi provided Pakistan with a golden opportunity to take the lead but the striker watched his shot flash pass the goal by inches.

“We created some chances but finishing let us down. We have been playing some very good hockey.

We dominated most of the play and could have won on any other day,” Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran said. Kookaburras coach Graham Reid said after the match that they started slow and Pakistan began well “pushing, pressing, doing all the right things.

“I said to the guys before the game you could see from their (Pakistan) warm up they were pumped, we need to start well, we started poorly but after 15 minutes we got into the game.

“At half time I said to the team to maintain the pressure. What was good we created the opportunities, we just have to put them away,” Reid said.

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