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ISLAMABAD Australia defeated Pakistan 2-1 in an intense gold medal match of the 1st Youth Olympic Games Hockey in Singapore on Wednesday.
Australia started off at a great pace and immediately took control of the game. The young Kookaburras won their first two penalty corners in the second minute but flicker Oscar Wookey was denied twice.
Australia created many chances but Pakistans defence, especially goalkeeper Mazhar Abbas did an outstanding job and kept Australia out. While the Kookaburras dominated the match, Pakistan looked for opportunities to break through their opponents defence.
In the 10th minute Pakistan penetrated the Australian circle the first time and Muhammad Umair scored out of the blue helping Pakistan take the lead 1-0.
Australia kept the pressure and won another penalty corner which led to a penalty stroke. Team-captain Daniel Beale took responsibility and went to the 7m mark. His shot into the bottom left was saved brilliantly by goalkeeper Abbass stick.
The beginning of the second half had not much action in the circles as Pakistan played defensively and gave Australia as less space as possible. However the young Australians rolled the pressure on and tied the score in the 49th minute when Dylan Wotherspoons reverse-stick-side shot found its way into the net.
Pakistan gave up their defensive play after the equaliser. The crowd saw an intensive match with chances either side.
Soon after Luke Noblett was sent off with a yellow card, Pakistans Muhammad Sohaib received yellow as well and the match went on ten-on-ten.
Australia won a second penalty stroke after Jeremy Haywards penalty corner attempt was saved by a Pakistan defenders body on the goal-line.
Luke Noblett took the penalty stroke and flicked it into the top right corner. Pakistan was urgent to strike back but the young Kookaburras ran the clock down. -APP
