ISLAMABAD, Jan 27: Pakistan pounded New Zealand 8-3 to settle at fifth place in the eight-nation junior invitational hockey tournament at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday.

According to an information received here, prolific scorer Abdul Haseem Khan blasted two goals, while team captain Shafqat Rasool added the third from a field attempt and though the Kiwis got one back from a penalty corner conversion yet Pakistan led 3-1 at half time.

Pakistan resumed the second session with incisive forays and kept the Kiwis defence under tremendous pressure. Shafqat Rasool fired his second goal but the New Zealanders retaliated with a penalty corner conversion.

Muhammad Zubair stretched the lead with a field goal while Kashif Ali hammered in a penalty corner as Pakistan led 6-2, a solid lead beyond Kiwis reach.

Forward Adeel Hussain slotted Pakistans seventh goal and the Kiwis responded with their third goal from field combination. The striker scored an excellent goal just before the final hooter.

For the third place match, Germany defeated the Netherlands 3-1 while host Malaysia got the seventh place beating Korea 2-1 in the extra time after both the teams were tied 1-1 at regular time.—APP