07 March 2004	Sunday	15 Muharram 1425

KARACHI, March 6: Three-goal Mahmood Ali inspired Pakistan to a convincing 4-0 victory over The Netherlands in the third encounter of the four-match junior hockey series on Saturday.

While Pakistan played with an advantage of having a pool of 25 players, the Dutch were reduced to 15 players with George Sulkers down with stomach problem.

"After an unimpressive performance in the first half, our side played well in the first 20 minutes of the second period. But they made individual mistakes and that is why Pakistan scored against us.

"The hot weather also played its role, while George could not play today because of upset stomach. But I hope my side will give a better performance in the last game tomorrow," Dutch coach Eric Verboom said.

The visiting side play the last game of the series on Sunday at 3.00pm.

The home side, after losing the first game 1-2 and recovering to win the second 5-3, got off to a great start, poaching the opening goal through Mahmood following splendid work by Yasir Islam in the 9th minute at Hockey Club of Pakistan.

Pakistan once again failed to score from penalty corners despite having two specialists in that department. The green shirts could have gone 2-0 ahead, but rued the missed chance when Mohammad Imran's effort cannoned off the post during the first short corner in the 9th minute.

The tenacious Pakistani forward Akhtar Ali looked dangerous in the 27th minute but his angular try rattled the woodwork while Dutch goalkeeper Mark-Jenniskens was beaten.

The hosts launched the real onslaughts against Dutchmen five minutes into second half with skipper Tariq Aziz squaring a perfect pass to Mahmood only to see Wouter Jolie making a neat clearance.

The tour party, despite being reduced to 10 players after 42nd-minute temporary suspension to Klass Staatsen, pressed hard for the equaliser, Teun Rohof dodging past two defenders and failing to score through a reverse flick in the 44th minute.

The Dutch had a real chance as Roderick Huber was continuously working hard down the left, first trying through a reverse hit, then feeding Rohof who connected the pass but was off target in the 49th minute.

Pakistan increased the lead with a penalty corner conversion, this time trying through Mohammad Khalid off an indirect drill in the 56th minute.

Huber again threatened Pakistan defences only to be denied by goalkeeper Mohammad Iqbal.

Pakistan took the wind out of the Dutch sails when Akhtar sold two dummies before his defence-splitting hit was well connected by anticipating Mahmood for the third goal in the 58th minute.

Huber was still trying his reverse hit but all he could do was to slam the sideboard with a weak effort before Rohof made a brilliant spurt through the defences but his rising effort was well saved by Iqbal.

Mahmood hammered the last nail in the Netherlands' coffin, dribbling past through exhausted Dutchmen to net the fourth in the 62nd minute.

Pakistan Juniors:

Mohammad Iqbal, Mohammad Imran, Tariq Yameen, Imran Khan, Mohammad Khalid, Sajjad Anwar, Waqas Sharif, Yasir Islam, Mahmood Ali, Tariq Aziz (captain), Abbas Haider.

The Netherlands Juniors:

Mark-Jenniskens, Balder Bomans, Tammo Gunst, Robert Horst, Roderick Huber, Mike Husken (captain), Wouter Jolie, Eby Kessing, Teun Rohof, Klass Staatsen, Wouter Straten.

Pakistan 4 Netherlands 0