12 January 2004	Monday	19 Ziqa'ad 1424

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11: Spurred on by a Kashif Jawwad hat trick, Pakistan outplayed Spain 4-2 to keep their unbeaten record intact in the Azlan Shah Cup hockey on Sunday.

Kashif, who played in the Malaysian Hockey League two seasons ago, scored his three goals in the 18th, 46th and 66th minutes to send the crowd of Pakistani fans in the stands wild.

The Pakistani win sets up an intriguing clash on Monday as the table toppers will take on Germany - the only other unbeaten team left in the tournament.

Shabbir Hussain opened scoring for Pakistan in the 7th minute and the Pakistanis were up 2-0 by the 18th minute when Kashif made his first goal.

Spain reduced the deficit when Pol Amat picked up a rebound off the horizontal to force the ball over the line in the 44th minute.

But Kashif regained the two-goal advantage for Pakistan by scoring two minutes later. Alex Fabregas Carne scored in the 64th minute, giving the Spaniards hopes of salvaging the game, but Kashif dashed any chances of a draw with his third goal in the 66th minute.

GERMANY BEAT S.KOREA

Germany defeated South Korea 2-1 to remain unbeaten in tournament and now have nine points from three matches after their 3-1 win over India and 4-2 win over hosts Malaysia.

"It was a tough match under humid conditions and we are happy with the win though the performance was not up to expectations," said German coach Bernard Peters.

The match was played at a slow tempo in blazing afternoon heat with the South Koreans in charge early on. After a series of early scares including a South Korean disallowed goal, Germany took control after Bjoern Michel scored from a penalty corner in the 27th minute.

The Koreans equalised following a spell of pressure after the break through Song Seung Tae in the 52nd minute when Kim Jung Chul picked him out in a crowded semi-circle.

However, Germany got a controversial winner 15 minutes later after umpire Stewart Dearing opted not to penalize German forward Christoph Bechmann for shielding the ball with his body from Korean keeper Ko Dong Sik, which allowed him to squeeze in his shot.

MATCH ENDS IN DRAW

Malaysia and India battled to a 2-2 draw in Sunday's second match. It was the young Indian team that took the lead when Len Aiyappa, who plays in the Malaysian Hockey League, scored in the 20th minute.

But Malaysia were back on level terms in the 30th minute as K. Gobinathan struck a powerful goal off a penalty corner.

The two teams were too cautious in the second half but India proved to be deadlier in front of goal as Arjun Halappa deflected in a cross by Baljeet Singh Dhillon to give India a 2-1 lead in the 61st minute.

The Malaysians fought back by scoring in the 63rd minute when Ismail Abu steered the ball past Indian goal keeper Kamaldeep Singh.

MONDAY'S FIXTURES:

Malaysia v Australia; Pakistan v Germany.

Standings: (played,  won,   drawn,   lost,    goals for,   goals against, points):



Pakistan     3       3       0        0         11              6           9




Spain        3       1       1        1          8              8           4



Malaysia     3       0       2        1          7              9           2



South Korea  3       0       1        2          4              6           1



Australia    2       0       1        1          2              4           1



India        3       0       1        2          5              8           1-AFP