IPOH, (Malaysia), March 30: Shabbir Hussain struck a second half winner to help Pakistan lift the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey title after edging past world champions Germany 1-0 on Sunday.

Shabbir took advantage of a lapse in concentration among the German defenders to score in the 62nd minute of the final played in Malaysia’s northern city of Ipoh.

The Germans, who were the defending champions and unbeaten in earlier matches of this annual tournament, had several golden opportunities, but tight defensive play by Pakistan prevented them from scoring.

For Pakistan, who had won the title previously in 1999 and 2000, Sunday’s win was also sweet revenge after losing to Germany 3-4 in a preliminary match a week ago.

Pakistan’s penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas was named player of the tournament, and Germany’s Christopher Zeller the most promising player.

The first half remained goal less with Pakistan getting three short corners but the German goalkeeper Clemens Arnold foiled all the attempts by Sohail that later helped the custodian become the best player of the final. Germany also could not capitalize on two short corners in the first half.

Germany got their third and Pakistan fourth short corner of the match in 17th and 21st minute respectively but it was not the day to score on short corners. Some wonderful attacks, counter-attacks and breathtaking moves from the both sides thrilled the crowd mostly supporting Pakistan.

It was in the 62nd minute when Rehan Butt hit a perfect cross from right side towards Khalid Saleem who rolled the ball to Shabbir who slotted the ball into the goal to score the winner.

In the third-fourth playoff, New Zealand beat South Korea 3-2 after a strong performance in the second half.

Hayden Shaw converted a penalty for the Kiwis in the 6th minute before Lee Jung Seon scored two goals for the Koreans in similar fashion in the 9th and 17th minutes.

New Zealand went on to score through Phillip Burrows in the 42nd minute and Bevan Hari in the 64th minute.

Host Malaysia finished last in the tournament after losing all four of its matches.—AP/APP