GOLD COAST: Pakistan team came from behind to beat Canada 3-1 and clinch the seventh position in the XXI Commonwealth Games hockey competition here on Friday.

Canada went ahead in the first quarter through James Kirkpatrick goal in open play.

The North Americans kept the lead intact till the end of the second quarter although Pakistan were far better side in the second half.

Arslan Qadir then equalised followed by a fine goal from Mubashar Ali, who ended up Pakistan’s top scorer in the competition with four goals, to put their team ahead in the game by 2-1.

Arshad Nadeem qualifies for the final round of javelin throw

In the last quarter, Mohammad Irfan Jr completed the tally with his third goal of the event.

Meanwhile, Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem qualified for the final round of javelin throw in the Commonwealth Games.

According to the information made available here on Friday by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan, Arshad also established a new national record. with his throw that went 80.45m.

His previous national record was 78.33m.

Arshad will compete in the final round on Saturday and it is hoped that he will bring laurel for the country by putting up a fine performance.

In the men’s freestyle 65kg quarter-final, Abdul Wahab beat Adam Vella of Malta 12-2. He got more points in the first bout of 10 points and 2 points in the second round.

Reaching the semi-final means one more victory would earn him another medal for Pakistan.

In the men’s 97kg freestyle Umair Ahmad of Pakistan lost to Canada’s Jordan Steem 11-0 in the semi-final.

In the men’s freestyle 65kg semi-final Abdul Wahab was beaten by Vincent De Marinis of Canada 10-0 in the first round.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2018