KARACHI, March 11: Pakistan displayed attacking skills in the second half to whip Malaysia 4-1 in the second clash to take 2-0 lead in the four-match junior hockey series on Thursday.

Although Malaysia suffered the second consecutive loss after a 5-2 defeat in the first encounter, their coach Sarjit Singh was a satisfied man. "Today my players were better. They were more compact. But at the same time they missed chances too. These games are allowing us to rectify mistakes before Junior Asia Cup," coach said.

It seemed that tourists would be the first to take the lead when they forced back-to-back penalty corners in the sixth minute of the first half at Hockey Club of Pakistan.

Malaysia rued a missed chance when Pakistan goalkeeper Mohammad Iqbal produced a fine save in the 11th minute, Baljit Singh returning frustrated from the spot following a serious foul in the circle by a Pakistani player.

Demoralised after squandering the opportunity, Malaysia conceded the first goal with skipper Tariq Aziz feeding substitute Abbas Haider in the 14th minute. Pakistan, sorely missing their influential left-winger Akhtar Ali who was seriously injured on Wednesday during the opening game, wasted quite a few chances in late first half.

Imran Khan's cross could have been converted had their been an attacker in position in the 28th minute. Adnan Zakir cut in deep from right and back passed only to see his hard work go in vain as Kashif Yaqoob's powerful strike was well taken by Malaysia goalkeeper Hanafi Hasan.

Malaysia brought in stand-in goalkeeper Nizam Ibrahim after resumption but that could not stop Pakistan from adding three more goals. Instead it accelerated Pakistan's efforts that bore fruit.

Although penalty corner expert Mohammad Imran remained without success, Pakistan eventually conjured up goal through a short corner 11 minutes into second session.

Ibrahim was alert to pad away a Mohammad Imran push but could not stop Tariq Aziz from scoring off a rebound. Tariq Aziz, however, was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance two minutes later when his reverse flick went over rattling the bar while Ibrahim and the entire defence was caught off guard during a lightning attack.

Imran Khan's perfect blistering right side cross was wasted as Abbas, despite anticipating and in position, could not connect. Malaysia had real scoring chance as Izwan Hassan first try was padded away by Iqbal and his second attempt on a rebound was blocked too.

Naeem Akbar filled in Akhtar's place when he executed a perfect Tariq Aziz hit for the third goal in the 58th minute. Substitute Zulkiffli Rejab brought some consolation two minutes later for the visitors with a knee-level push off a short corner, this time giving Iqbal no chance.

Up-and-coming Pakistani forward Yasir Islam, who has developed a tendency of scoring through reverse hits, rounded Ibrahim and breezed past the defences to seal the fate of game four minutes before time utilising the same technique.

Iqbal was tested twice by Rejab and Jivan Mohan during penalty corners in the dying minutes of the game but Malaysians found the custodian at vigil.

After Friday's rest, the two sides face each other on Saturday at 3.00pm.

Pakistan Juniors: Mohammad Iqbal, Mohammad Imran, Ikhlaq Ahmad, Imran Khan, Adnan Zakir, Mahmood Ali, Tariq Aziz (captain), Asim Khan, Sajjad Anwar, Yasir Islam, Naeem Akbar.