LAHORE: Pakistan defeated New South Wales State team 3-2 in the final of Australia’s National Junior Hockey Championships in Hobart on Saturday.

New South Wales were the only undefeated side in the 10-team competition and were also the side which inflicted on Pakistan their only loss of the tour.

In the final, Pakistan played according to a plan right from the start with top scorer of the tournament in Naveed Alam scoring through a field goal in the 13th minute to open account for his side.

With Pakistan Colts extending the lead, the 24th minute, saw Ahmed Nadeem succeeding in converting a penalty corner to make it 2-0 at half time.

At resumption, Pakistani youngsters continued to search for the target and were rewarded in the 44th minute with the Sahiwal’s Ahmed Nadeem scoring this time to strengthen the lead 3-0.

Down by three goals, New South Wales didn’t give up. They were awarded a penalty stroke within four minutes with their most prolific scorer Ehren Hazell cashing in on it.

It remained 3-1 with just five minutes to go. In the 65th minute, Daine Richards caused a stir, converting a penalty corner to reduce Pakistan’s lead to 3-2.

However, New South Wales couldn’t score the equaliser. Pakistan played as many as eight matches winning seven and losing one.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2017