June 07, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 02, 1429

KARACHI, June 6: Mohammad Ateeq fired in a brace of goals as Pakistan have trounced Belgium under-21 side 4-0 at the Dragon Hockey Club Ground in Antwerp.

According to a message received here on Friday, Pakistan gave a sterling performance against the young Belgian side which fought tooth and nail to win the match.

Pakistan forged ahead in the fifth minute through Mohammad Ateeq’s penalty-corner, whose rasping low push sounded the board.

The Belgians retaliated and earned two consecutive penalty-corners which proved fruitless.

The combination of Shakeel Abbasi, Mohammad Saqlain and Rehan Butt brought hosts’ defence under tremendous pressure and earned their second penalty-corner in the 20th minute.

Ateeq drag-flicked the ball to double the lead.

Ten minutes later, a quick move between Shakeel and Rehan stretched the lead further when the latter’s fierce shot from a close angle gave no chance to the goalkeeper.

Pakistan were leading 3-0 at the half-time.

The visitors continued their forays on resumption and within two minutes added their fourth goal through left-winger Haider Abbas’ back-hand shot.

Pakistan indulged in some erratic hockey thereafter and thus squandered away some more goal scoring chances.

The Belgians had some goal-scoring chances in the second half, including two penalty-corners, but goalkeeper Nasir Ahmed was brilliant with his anticipation and interceptions.

“We have some injury problems but I am confident we will manage it. Forward Waqas Sharif and captain Zeeshan Ashraf are not fully fit. I think Zeeshan will regain fitness when we reach Dublin, Ireland,” Pakistan’s manager-cum-chief coach Khawaja Zakauddin said.

Coach Naveed Alam was optimist about Pakistan’s chances of winning the tournament in Dublin, “We have formed a good combination of young and experienced players and are hopeful that we will put up good performance.”

Pakistan will play the first Test against Belgium on Saturday and the second on Sunday.

They will fly to Dublin, Ireland, on Monday to take part in the four-nation hockey tournament, starting from Wednesday.—APP