05 December 2004	Sunday	22 Shawwal 1425

LAHORE, Dec 4: Pakistan overcame infamous complacency to mesmerise a youthful Germany with a morale- boosting 3-1 victory in the opening Champions Trophy hockey match thanks to goalkeeping heroics of Salman Akbar on Saturday.

While hosts scored twice through penalty corners and once after a field effort, it was Salman's five stupendous saves that eased off pressure for his side in front of a disappointing crowd at 70,000-seater National Hockey Stadium.

The beginning, however, did not seem to be as easy as was the ending for Pakistan who were given the first fright by the Germans in the 7th minute when Oliver Hentschel tried through a reverse hit only to see Salman padding it away to safety.

Yet more trouble was in store for full-strength Pakistanis, Germany trying through a penalty corner in the 10th minute before being frustrated by a gallant Zeeshan Ashraf save off another short corner.

Pakistan penalty corner wizard Sohail Abbas who could convert one of the three attempts, failed when his drag-flick went above the bar in the 22nd minute.

Pakistan got five penalty corners in all. Salman made yet another fine save when Florian Keller attempted through a reverse flick while Hentschel's try off the rebound missed the target.

Mohammad Saqlain, the controversial half-back back in favour, came off the bench midway first half to support the forward-line.

But the opening goal eventually came through a short corner as Sohail scored his 269th goal when he was finally on target with a sizzling push that crashed into the roof of the net past German goalkeeper Ulrich Bubolz.

Pakistan got a wake-up call soon after lemons as Jan-Marco Montag snatched the leveller for Germany five minutes into the second session.

The green shirts returned frustrated twice within a minute as first Sohail's low effort was stopped by Till Kriwet and then the Pakistani full-back missed the target.

The Germans showed resilience by forcing two short corners within two minutes but failed to capitalise.

Salman again showed agility and skills taking a Keller effort on his pads, while the second attempt by the Germans could not produce result.

The lanky Pakistani custodian again thwarted an attempt, Juan Carlos Nevado-Gonzales returning empty-handed after trying with a reverse hit.

After a bit shaky start and coming under continuous attacks from the opposition, Pakistan finally eased pressure with Kashif Jawwad penetrating through the German defence only to be denied by Bubolz. Making several substitutions in the second half, Pakistan stepped up pressure against the fighting Germans.

A series of incursions deep into German territory paid off as Shakeel Abbasi latched onto a long ball to make it 2-1 in the 52nd minute. Rehan Butt could have increased the lead but squandered the opportunity despite having ample time.

The Pakistani wrapped up with an along-the carpet Sohail push which was given a final touch by Kashif in the 64th minute. Germany would have reduced the margin with a dying minutes penalty corner had Salman not showed his quick reflexes.

Dilawar Hussain was adjudged the player-of-the- match despite a brilliant performance by Salman.

Earlier Spain handed India a 4-0 defeat.

The Spaniards opened the account through Alex Fabregas in the 43rd minute before Eduard Arbos got the second in the 60th minute. Santiago Freixa (63rd minute) and Juan Escarre (64th minute) were the scorers.

Taeke Taekema scored twice in The Netherlands 5-2 win over a battling New Zealand. Taekema's 26th-minute effort was neutralised by New Zealand's Bevan Hari three minutes later.

Ronald Brouwer again put the Dutchmen ahead in the 31st minute before Hari pulled another equaliser seven minutes into second half.

Rob Reckers netted the third for The Netherlands in the 44th minute, Taekema got his double in the 50th minute and Karel Klaver sealed the fate of the game in the 60th minute.

Pakistan 3 Germany 1

Spain 4 India 0

The Netherlands 5 New Zealand 2