KARACHI, Feb 18: Pakistan scored a scrappy 3-1 win over Japan in Singapore before leaving for Malaysia to compete in the World Cup hockey tournament Monday.

Pivot Kashif Jawwad scored two goals while Mohammad Nadeem scored the third.

Pakistan looked jaded and scrappy against Japan who were the early aggressors in the game and won three penalty corners, but failed to convert them into goals.

Jawwad opened scoring for Pakistan when he availed a good pass in the 13th minute and then doubled the tally in the 17th minute. Japan pulled one back when they scored a penalty corner goal in the 19th minute through Makojo Karuo.

Japanese goalkeeper Takahiko Yamabori was excellent in the goal as he thwarted several attempts by Pakistani forwards in the initial moments of the second half. Mohammad Nadeem completed Pakistan’s tally in the 50th minute on a penalty corner rebound. Pakistan will play a practice game against the Malaysian national team Monday.

Eearlier inside right Atif Bashir scored four goals as World Cup contenders Pakistan drubbed Singapore selection team 12-1 in an exhibition match, reports said Sunday.

Pakistan opened the scoring through Sohail Abbas off a penalty corner in the fourth minute and scored another three goals to lead 4-0 at half time.

The visitors scored their fifth goal six minutes after the interval and adding another two minutes later. Khalid Salem and Sohail Abbas scored two each while Shabaz Ahmad, Ali Raza, Wasim Ahmed and Mudasar Khan scored one goal each. Sunil Prasad scored a penalty corner goal for the Singapore select.—SADA