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| October 25, 2003 | Saturday | Sha’aban 28, 1424 |
Salim saves Pakistan’s blushes
HYDERABAD (India), Oct 24: Two-goal Salim Khalid spared Pakistan’s blushes as they survived a fright before overcoming underdogs Nigeria 4-3 in Afro-Asian Games hockey competition here on Thursday.
Pakistan went 1-0 ahead with Ghazanfar Ali netting off a penalty corner in the fourth minute of the first half. The Africans shocked the Asian giants when Auwolo Lamido equalised.
Ali Raza once again put his side up off a 26th minute short corner conversion, while Salim deflected a Ghazanfar diagonal cross to give his side a 3-1 lead before the breather.
Nigeria, who finished fourth at the All-African Games earlier this month, went on the offensive by levelling the scores 3-3 after resumption.
Nuhu Jatau’s effort in the 52nd minute saw Nigeria reducing the margin 3-2 following some hard work by Sunday Ogodogu.
Ogodogu had his name onto the scoresheet in the 65th minute when he raided down the right flank to find the target with a rasping hit making it 3-3.
Nigeria were deprived of a share of the spoils with the former world and Olympic champions when Salim finally rescued Pakistan on a long pass barely four minutes before the end.
Meanwhile, minnows South Africa held Malaysia to a 1-1 draw, while South Korea got the better of Ghana 3-0.—Agencies
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