August 22, 2003	Friday	Jumadi-us-Sani 23, 1424

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AMSTELVEEN, (The Netherlands), Aug 21: Pakistan defeated Germany’s development team 5-2 in the men’s Champions Trophy field hockey tournament here on Thursday.

The result was never in doubt as Pakistan quickly went into a 3-0 lead and Germany’s two goals after half time were replied with two more from Pakistan.

Pakistan’s first three goals followed the same pattern with possession starting in midfield then worked to the backline on the right and centred for a forward to score from in front.

First Kashif Jawwad (6th minute) then Rehan Butt (15th minute), then Jawwad again (26th minute) scored from in front after the hard work by the final passer.

Pakistan were too quick in Germany’s circle for Germany’s inexperienced defenders, Eike Duckwitz and Jan-Marco Montag, leaving Christian Schulte to chance to save the goals when Pakistan moved the ball quickly through the circle.

Three goals ahead and Pakistan slowed down, secure with its lead.

The second half started as the first, with a goal from in front after a back-pass from the right, but this time it was Germany’s Benedikt Sperling scoring from a pass by Benjamin Kopp (43rd minute).

Five minutes later Kopp found a new way to the net with a strong individual run into the circle, firing a shot high into goal to take the score to 3-2 to Pakistan.

Pakistan’s second goalkeeper, Salman Akbar was replaced with the more experienced Ahmad Alam two minutes later.

Pakistan and Germany had other chances in front of goal with Pakistan getting three shots on Schulte who saved each chance.

In the last six minutes Pakistan came alive again after Benedikt Sperling received a short yellow card suspension. Sohail Abbas converted a penalty corner (64th minute) and Salim Khalid finished a brilliant fast break by Pakistan after Germany’s failed third penalty corner which caught Germany’s youngsters too committed to offense and Pakistan with 5 on 3 in attack (67th minute).

“We took it easy after 3-0,” acknowledged Pakistan’s manager, Abdul Rashid.

“We are satisfied with the three points but are looking forward to tomorrow’s match against India which is a war of nerves,” he said.

“It is impossible to predict the result of the match against India as each country wants to win this match more than any other in the Champions Trophy and the players play for national pride,” Rashid added.

Bernhard Peters, Germany’s coach, believes his young charges have learned from their four defeats.

“They have learned experience about speed on the ball and tactical things which will be invaluable for them in the future,” Peter said.—AFP

APP adds:

Pakistan manager Abdul Rasheed Junior termed Friday’s match against India a game of nerves and said it was not mere a simple game as emotions of both the countries are fully involved in it.

“It is not just a match for us, it is a game of nerves and we know that the people of both countries do not like defeat of their teams, but the side which would play better would win.” he said.