Pakistan Shocked by Korea
Posted By Rida Zaheer
Korea have upset the form book to secure a stunning 4-3 victory over Pool B winners Pakistan in the Quarter Finals of the Hockey World League Semi Final event in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The Koreans produced a sensational fight-back back from 2-0 to eventually win the match, with Pakistan’s Shakeel Abbasi missing a 53rd minute penalty stroke.
Pakistan were outstanding for much of the first half, showing great confidence to surge into a 2-0 lead inside 16 minutes. The opening goal came from Muhammad Waqas, who produced a piece of brilliance to beat his man on the edge of the circle before cracking a shot past Korean keeper Lee Myung Ho.
Muhammad Tousiq added the second, although there was an element of fortune about the goal. His attempted cross within the circle took a big deflection off a Korean stick, helping the ball to evade the goalkeeper.
Korea gave themselves a life-line early late in the half thanks to Kang Moon Kweon, who sent a low penalty corner deflection into the Pakistan goal before pulling level just after the break. Kang was again the scorer, this time netting a close range field goal to really set the match alight.
The Greenshirts moved back in front in the 43rd minute when Shakeel Abbasi made no mistake with a penalty stroke, but Korea turned the game on its head with two goals in the space of 60 seconds. Nam Hyun Woo drag-flicked his team leaven in the 48th minute before Kim Young Jin grabbed a goal from close range moments later to leave the Pakistan team stunned.
Arguably the game’s most decisive moment arrived in the 53rd minute when Pakistan were awarded their second penalty stroke of the match. Shakeel Abbasi again assumed responsibility, but this time Korean custodian Lee Myung Ho guessed correctly, stepping across to his left to deny the icon of Pakistan hockey.
There was a frantic finish to the game, but Korea held on to secure a famous win and reach the Semi Final stage in Johor Bahru. They will play the winner of the day’s final match, which takes place between Germany and Malaysia.
Courtesy : World Hockey
