LAHORE: Pakistan hockey touched a new low on Wednesday when the national team lost the final of a tri-nation series 2-3 to Japan in Muscat.

Though Pakistan had defeated Japan in the last league match 2-1 to qualify for the final against the same country, the green-shirts in the decider failed to maintain the winning streak.

Failing to win a three-nation event featuring Japan and Oman — teams which are widely considered second-string in world hockey — indeed does not bode well for Pakistan, the former four-time world champions, who have already failed to claim any major international title during the last many years.

For the final, the stadium was packed to capacity mostly with the Pakistanis, who in the end left disappointed with their team’s pathetic show.

Japan availed their first penalty corner in the fourth minute with a deceptive two-touch indirect drill. Yamasaki, standing close to the goal, caressed the ball in with an extended flat stick.

A quick counter resulted in the second Japanese goal in the 12th minute after a spate of one-touch passes. Pakistan’s defence was guilty of poor marking in the circle.

Within two minutes, Pakistan pulled back one when captain Rizwan Senior’s ball from left side went high in the circle off a defender’s stick and Arslan Qadir expertly put it in from near the goal.

In the second half also, the pattern was mostly the same — fluent hockey. Japanese displayed planned game with their attacks coming through swift counters.

One such turn over resulted in the third Japanese goal in the 50th minute.

Down by two goals with just 10 minutes left, Pakistan made a desperate effort to make a comeback. They had a couple of open chances and two penalty corners.

Off their last short-corner in the 56th minute, Mubashar Ali’s strong push hit the board on goalkeeper’s right. But time ran out.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2018