Pakistan play yet another draw with Malaysia

ISLAMABAD: A 1-1 draw against Malaysia resulted in Pakistan’s poor fourth finish in five-team Group B in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Hockey Tournament.Both Pakistan and Malaysia were already out of semifinal contention following Tuesday matches. But there was something at stake when they came across in their last pool game Wednesday. Pakistan will now have to play for 7th/8th spot Pakistan needed to win in order to make it for the 5th place game. For Malaysia a draw was enough and they achieved that target.The two sides ended equal on points. As per the tournament rules, the side with more wins finishes ahead. Pakistan drew all the four matches while Malaysia had one win. Malaysia called the early shots. A steal in Pakistan half left goalkeeper Imran Butt with no option but to rush out of the 23 metre to thwart the danger. It cost him yellow card.Replacement Mazhar Abbas was called to make two outstanding saves in his five minute appearance on the pitch. Pakistan managed to settle down and were certainly the better side during the rest of the first half. In the ninth minute, after some delightful shot passes, a high ball reached Shafqat Rasool standing unmarked near the right post. The veteran first timed it into the cage. In the second quarter, both the two sides got a couple of back to back penalty corners but to no avail. Dilber had the best open play opportunity. He had goal at his mercy but the try was poor. Pakistan rushed out of the blocks after the change of the sides and had a penalty corner in the first minute but the variation didn’t click. After some back and forth play, Malaysia tested Imran Butt, who was well positioned to stop.There was some high drama as Pakistan obtained two back to back penalty corners in the penultimate minute but the Malaysian net minder Hairi Abdul Rahman anticipated well each time and it ended 1-1. Pakistan will play for 7th/8th position match on Friday.

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