Friday May 11, 2012
Pakistan thrash South Korea for showdown with hosts
MALACCA: Pakistan powered into the final of the Junior Asia Cup with a thumping 6-1 win over South Korea at the Bukit Serendit Hockey Stadium.
Pakistan, winners of the trophy in 1987, 1992 and 1996, were simply too good for the hapless South Koreans.
Forward Mohamed Dilber also carved a name for himself as the top scorer when he struck four goals to take his tally to seven in the tournament.
The Pakistanis had expected a tough match but their plan to shut down the Koreans deep in their half worked. They restricted the Koreans to two penalty corners and that was a crucial element in their win.
The ball is mine: South Korea’s Hwang Weonn-ki (left) taking advantage of a slip by Pakistan’s Tasawar Abbas during their Junior Asia Cup semi-final yesterday. The Koreans lacked direction and failed to cut down space, allowing the rampant Pakistanis to score six field goals.
A five-minute spell, from the 11th minute, turned out to be disastrous for the Koreans, who were champions in 2000.
From a quick counter attack after foiling a Korean thrust, the Pakistanis struck their first goal in the 11th minute. It came from the right as Mohamed Dilber collected the ball in the D to strike home.
That should have warned the Koreans not to give the Pakistanis space. But they paid the price for it as Pakistan increased their lead two minutes later. Once again, it was Dilber who put the final touch to the move.
Pakistan were fully settled by then and soon had the attacks going constantly. Dilber chalked up his hat-trick in the 15th minute with another field goal and the fight was taken out of the Koreans.
The Koreans started the second half strongly and in the 47th minute managed to reduce the deficit through Im Seong-ju off a field attempt.
But as the game wore on the Koreans were forced to push higher in search of goals. The Pakistanis took advantage and scored in the 59th and 61st minutes to make it 5-1. Dilber and Mohamed Suleiman were the scorers.
Mohmed Toussiq added the sixth goal in the 64th minute to ensure a big win for Pakistan.
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