April 23, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 16, 1429

LAHORE, April 22: While keeping up their fine performance during the South Africa tour, Pakistan Juniors beat South Africa Juniors 2-0 in the second hockey Test at Durban on Monday, according to the information received here.

Pakistan, who also beat South Africa’s senior outfit in their first tour game, scored one goal in each half to win the match. But the match witnessed a comparably poorer game from their earlier performance when Pakistan’s forwards missed several chances to score by keeping the ball in their possession for far too long.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s deep defence and the midfield did their job well, keeping the South African forwards at bay with their well-rehearsed positional play. The winners earned their first penalty corner in the 15th minute with fullback Mohammad Ateeq converting it with a powerful drag-flick in the left corner of the goal.

The visitors’ pattern didn’t even improve after interval with the forwards continuing to fumble while the defence successfully thwarted the South African attacks. The hosts were prevented from taking even a single penalty corner.

Pakistan’s second goal came in the 55th minute when they were awarded a penalty stroke from an unwarranted infringement in the South African striking circle. Kashif Ali’s conversion gave no chance to the South African goalkeeper.

“It is for the first time on this tour that the forwards have let the team down,” said Chief Coach Jehangir Butt after the match.

“It can be described as a selfish kind of play which we witnessed today from the forward line. But the defence performed excellently and we hope that the forwards will display more sense and commitment in the third Test to be played on April 23.”