MANCHESTER, July 29: Pakistan defeated Wales 3-0 in their second league match in the Commonwealth Games men’s hockey event Sunday evening.

Pakistan survived a barren first half in which they had two players, Mudassar Khan and Mohammad Sarwar, sent off for rough play before taking the valiant Welsh in their stride.

Pakistan took the lead in the 44th minute when Mohammad Nadeem deflected a pass off a penalty corner.

Veteran Kamran Ashraf then struck twice in three minutes to carry Pakistan home safely.

A controversial penalty stroke two minutes before the final whistle earned England a lucky 2-1 win over Canada.

Umpire David Leiper of Scotland awarded a stroke when the ball hit a Canadian defender on the foot following a goalmouth melee. David Mathews pushed past goalkeeper Mike Mahood to earn England full points.

An angry Mahood banged his stick on the ground after the goal which ended a remarkable fightback by the Canadians in the pool B match.

The result earned England their first points in the competition, keeping them in second place behind pool leaders Pakistan, who demolished Wales 3-0 later on Sunday to record their second straight win.

England, still recovering from a 3-0 defeat at Pakistan’s hands on Saturday, were held goalless in the first half by the spirited Canadians.

The hosts took the lead in the 42nd minute with a penalty corner by Jon Wyatt, but Canada drew level four minutes later through Robert Short.

The match appeared headed for a draw till England earned the lucky break just before the end.

England’s senior players like Wyatt and captain Craig Parnham declined to comment on the umpire’s decision, saying they had not seen the incident.

In the last round of matches on Tuesday, England take on Wales while Pakistan clash with Canada.

Defending champions Australia lead pool A with six points, followed by New Zealand and South Africa on three each.

Points table

Tabulated under played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points:

Pool A

Australia 2 2 0 0 10 2 6

New Zealand 2 1 0 1 14 6 3

South Africa 2 1 0 1 11 5 3

Barbados 2 0 0 2 1 23 0

Pool B

Pakistan 2 2 0 0 6 0 6

England 2 1 0 1 2 4 3

Canada 2 0 1 1 2 3 1

Wales 2 0 1 1 1 4 1

The top team from each pool gains direct entry into the semi-finals. Play-offs between the second and third placed teams will decide the other semifinalists.—AFP

Pakistan 3 Wales 0

England 2 Canada 1