June 10, 2008	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 05, 1429

KARACHI, June 9: Olympic qualifiers Belgium wrapped up their two-Test series against Pakistan with a 4-2 victory in the second Test at the Dragon Hockey Club in Antwerp, Belgium, on Sunday.

According to a message received on Monday, Pakistan were penalised for giving too much space and the possession of the ball to the Belgians in the first half.

The hosts led the first half 3-0 on a sunny afternoon and in front of nearly five thousand spectators.

The Belgians took the lead when in the 10th minute striker Thomas Briels’ harmless try from an acute angle slithered past goalkeeper Salman Akbar who had replaced Nasir Ahmed for the contest.

There was total lack of coordination between the forwards and the midfield of Pakistan and the attacks were haphazard.

Under tremendous pressure, Pakistan conceded four penalty-corners in ten minutes.

Gregory Gucassoff fired in on the third short-corner to double the lead.

Belgium stretched the lead further in the 24th minute from a Jerome Dekeyser’s penalty-corner conversion.

Just before the breather, Pakistan earned their first penalty-corner but Mohammad Ateeq’s feeble push was padded away by goalkeeper Cedric De Greve.

Belgium continued the attack on resumption and within two minutes Gregory Gucassoff drag-flicked with clinical precision, his second goal of the match.

Chief coach Zakauddin replaced goalkeeper Salman Akbar with Nasir Ahmed that allowed the Pakistanis to go on the offensive.

While the Belgians retreated, Pakistan launched their offensive from the right flank with right-half Mohammad Javaid playing an aggressive role.

Pakistan reduced the deficit in the 44th minute from Mohammad Ateeq’s unstoppable drag-flicked penalty-corner.

Eight minutes from the final hooter, Rehan Butt scored Pakistan’s second goal when Shakeel Abbasi’s fierce shot returned after hitting the post.

Belgium received six penalty-corners while Pakistan five.

“We are deeply concerned about the inconsistency of the team. If we overcome this factor, we will succeed in the four-nation tournament in Dublin, Ireland,” Pakistan’s manager-cum-chief coach Khawaja Zakauddin said on arrival in London on way to Dublin.

“I am confident of my team’s return to winning ways as we are in rebuilding process and trying to make strong combinations comprising fresh talent and experienced players for the Beijing Olympics,” Zakauddin added.

“We are in the last stage of finalising our squad for the Olympics, and the Dublin tournament will help us,” the chief coach said.

“We have made it clear to the players that win is always important to gain confidence and they can achieve it only by having hunger for it and by giving their hundred per cent.

“My team is full of promise, and I believe that despite being under a lot of pressure, the players will perform better,” Zakauddin concluded.—APP