December 10, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 15, 1424

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KARACHI, Dec 9: Pakistan juniors produced two dazzling field efforts to give the seniors a fright before going 4-2 down in the opening triangular hockey series game at semi-refurbished Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP) on Tuesday.

The clash between the two national outfits also served as inauguration of the newly-laid polygrass surface and the re-start of activity at HCP after almost five years.

While both the goals from the junior side were splendid field efforts, the seniors scored one each converting a penalty stroke and a short corner apart from two field goals.

An encouraging aspect of the game was that senior side goalkeeper Salman Akbar and junior custodian Mohammad Iqbal showed there could be life after unfit and aging Ahmad Alam.

Iqbal was impressive under the bar when he padded away a low drag-flick from seniors’ penalty corner striker Sohail Abbas in the 5th minute of the game.

Juniors took four minutes to retaliate, Akhtar Ali penetrating into seniors’ semi-circle before losing the control over ball. Iqbal was again alert to block a Rehan Butt hit in the 13th minute, while Salman produced a fine save on a Tariq Aziz try in the 15th minute.

Rehan limped out of the field after twisting his ankle in the 18th minute because of uneven surface near the sidelines. It was not the only spot which needs levelling as turf was also bumpy at few other places.

Sohail slammed home the stroke awarded to the seniors following a foul by a defender in the circle after a Mudassir Ali Khan hit in the 23rd minute.

Kashif Jawwad came near enhancing the lead for seniors four minutes later by connecting a Mohammad Nadeem cross from right flank only to see the ball sailing above the bar.

Sohail again played his role well when he converted the second penalty corner to give his side a 2-0 ascendancy in the 28th minute.

Seniors would have conceded the first goal when juniors got a short corner in the dying moments of the first period had substitute defender Zeeshan Ashraf not blocked the attempt well on time.

Junior side got off to a flying start soon after resumption to score twice through Mahmood Ali. Seniors were left bemused when a brilliant one-two between Akhtar and Mahmood near the 25-yard line ended on a spectacular goal by latter past stand-in goalie Nasir Ahmad.

After squandering two gilt-edged chances, Shabbir Hussain of seniors, who had skipped October’s Afro-Asian Games in India owing to personal engagement, finally sounded the backboards after getting under a loose ball in the 43rd minute.

Substitute Mukhtar Ahmad, who had replaced Rehan, helped seniors surge 4-1 ahead with an angular hit from right in the 51st minute.

Shabbir missed another sitter on 60 minutes when he connected a cross that rattled the sideboard instead the target.

Juniors once again proved they could become a fighting outfit if given better coaching by conjuring up the second with a move that baffled the seniors, Arif squaring a pass and Mahmood poaching his second in the 63rd minute.

Both sides meet again on Wednesday at 2.30pm.

Seniors: Salman Akbar, Kashif Jawwad, Shabbir Hussain, Ghazanfar Ali, Mudassir Ali, Sohail Abbas, Ali Raza, Rehan Butt, Dilawar Hussain, Waseem Ahmad, Mohammad Nadeem (captain).

Juniors: Mohammad Iqbal, Ikhlaq, Tariq Yamin, Imran Khan, Mohammad Imran, Asim Khan, Arif, Kashif Yaqoob, Mahmood Ali, Tariq Aziz (captain), Akhtar Ali.