KARACHI, July 13: Pakistan bounced back in the second half to whip China by a tennis score of 6-2, courtesy three-goal Kashif Jawwad in the friendship hockey series on Sunday.
What should have been a one-sided affair proved a tough task for the Pakistanis as they struggled for rhythm in the first half which ended at 1-1.
There was total lack of cohesion between the Pakistan midfield and the strikers. In fact, the entire side looked exhausted barely ten minutes into the match at Steel Mills ground.
There were yawning gaps between the forwards and half-line that created plenty of space for the Chinese to move, while defence was sloppy too.
Although the start looked perfect for the Pakistanis since they scored first, they had to break sweat in the later stages of the first session as the Chinese dominated the game with their speed and onslaughts.
A second minute move from the left gave Pakistan their first goal when the high-stepping striker Kashif neatly connected a Sameer Hussain reverse hit near the goal-mouth.
Mohammad Nadeem, who has returned to the team after serving a one tour suspension which he got for leaving the country despite being disallowed by the hockey officials, attempted but China goalkeeper Xiang Fe clawed away the rising hit.
Pakistan were given a wake-up call five minutes later when Jiang Xi Shang shocked them with an equaliser by connecting a cross from the left side.
China’s Song Yi received a perfect pass from Meng Lizhi, but his effort was neutralized by onrushing Pakistan goalkeeper Ahmad Alam in the 20th minute — a tactic which he used frequently.
China pushed the Pakistanis on the defensive with an avalanche of attacks as Lizhi and Yi continuously tormented the opposition’s defences with their darting sprints throughout the first half.
The Chinese pair combined together with some fast-flowing moves and raided the Pakistani circle several times before the breather. Yi could have put China ahead but missed a measured pass from Lizhi in the 32nd minute.
The scrappy Chinese kept Pakistan defenders on their toes when they attacked the very next minute. Yu Yung looked dangerous when he was aided by Lizhi but slammed the side-netting instead.
Yung received marching orders from umpire Mohsin Ali Khan who flashed a yellow after the Chinese played the ball again after his feeble push during the 33rd-minute penalty corner drill.
Pakistan started making deep incursions into Chinese half straight from the beginning of the second session, although they found it thickly populated whenever they tried to penetrate.
Sameer, who was discarded after the pre-World Cup tournament in Australia last year, made his presence felt two minutes into the second period when his try went outside off a defender’s stick.
The greenshirts did not miss their inspirational penalty corner striker Sohail Abbas when substitute Mohammad Saqlain slotted home off an indirect drill in the 45th minute.
Pakistan, being cheered by a partisan Sunday crowd, got their third through a penalty stroke when Saqlain was obstructed by a Chinese defender in the circle in the 55th minute. Saqlain converted the stroke past China goalkeeper Xiang Fe.
Sameer and Kashif, who were called back to the bench in the first half, returned after resumption with full force to enhance the lead. Kashif made it 4-1 with a spectacular reverse hit in the 57th minute.
Inspired by Kashif’s reverse hits, Yi, playing with a real spring in his step, applied the same skill to give China their second goal by slamming home from the left past Ahmad.
Xiang Fe was alert when he padded away an effort by Kashif who was provided a blistering cross by Sameer in the 60th minute.
A three-man move that triggered near the 25 yard-line involving Saqlain, Shakeel Abbasi and Sameer ended in the fifth goal when Sameer showed his class to score with a breathtaking dive in the 62nd minute.
Kashif capped Pakistan’s victory with a 66th minute strike when his goal-bound hit landed on target off a defender’s stick.
China failed to cash in on five penalty corners while Pakistan were awarded just one in the entire game.
On Monday, the tourists face Pakistan Juniors at the same venue.
Teams:
Pakistan: Ahmad Alam (captain), Nasir Ali, Shahid Wasim, Kashif Jawwad, Zeeshan Ali, Sumair Saleem, Mudassir Jr, Ali Raza, Mohammad Saqlain, Amir Salim, Zahid Sheikh, Zeeshan Ashraf, Adnan Maqsood, Sameer Hussain, Mohammad Nadeem, Shakeel Abbasi, Dilawar Hussain, Mudassir Ali Khan.
China: Taozhi Lan, Guo Jil (captain), Yu Yung, Li Yingwen, Yu Haiao, Qiai Yuanidan, Jiang Xi Shang, Luo Fangming, Song Yi, Hu Huisen, Hu Liang, Lu Peng, Liaweitang, Zhoug Xiaohui, Changhijiam, Wang Yahgiang, Meng Lizhi, Xian Fe.
