ROTTERDAM (Netherlands), Nov 6: Two smartly taken goals by Jeremy Hiskins, a player dropped by Australia for the Sydney Olympics, gave his country a 3-1 victory over Pakistan in the first match on the third day of the Champions Trophy Tuesday.

Australia’s second successive win took them into second place behind Germany, who play later on Tuesday.

The game only came to life in the second-half after a lacklustre scoreless first 35 minutes with Hiskins putting Australia into a 2-0 lead with two good goals.

His first came from Australia’s first corner in the 42nd minute following an intricate move, though he did well to steer it home with a reverse stick shot after the final pass went slightly behind him.

However Pakistan came back strongly and had three good chances to level but Kashif Jawwad, who scored both goals in Pakistan’s 2-0 win over Korea, missed two of them.

Pakistan were still pressing when defender Bevan George picked out Hiskins in the Pakistani circle with a 50 yard pass and Hiskins’ neat deflection put his side 2-0 ahead.

Pakistan continued to create chances but it was not until the 66th minute that Sohail Abbas flicked in their goal from his side’s third corner.

Pakistan desperately sought a late equaliser but it was Adam Commens who stole the last goal for Australia, hammering in a cross circle pass.

Pakistan’s legend Shahbaz Ahmad admitted afterwards that they were lacking cohesion among their forward line.

“Pakistan’s attack at the moment lacks the combinations enjoyed by other teams”.—AFP