Pakistan edged previous Japan 2-1 on Wednesday to attain their first win of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy on the Moqi Hockey Coaching Base in Hulunbuir Metropolis, China.
Nadeem Ahmed opened Pakistan’s account with a aim in within the first quarter nevertheless it was equalised by Japan within the second quarter.
Within the tenth minute of the second quarter, Sufyan Khan scored the second aim for Pakistan to place within the lead as soon as once more. The Inexperienced shirts fought arduous and managed to defend their lead until the top to win the match 2-1 in an exhilarating conflict.
It have to be talked about right here that Pakistan’s first two video games had resulted in attracts. Their’ conflict towards South Korea on Monday resulted in a 2-2 draw after they didn’t defend their two-goal lead.
South Korea took the lead by scoring a aim within the second quarter, which remained intact till the third quarter. Pakistan’s staff couldn’t rating any targets as much as the third quarter and was dropping by one aim.
Nevertheless, within the fourth quarter, the Pakistan staff made a formidable comeback, with Hanan Shahid scoring two fast targets.
However earlier than the match may finish, Korea scored one other aim to stage the sport.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s match towards Malaysia additionally resulted in a 2-2 draw.
Pakistan will now play China on Thursday and can face arch-rivals India on Saturday.
Aussie hockey star Craig banned after Olympic cocaine bust
Australian hockey participant Tom Craig has been banned for 12 months following his arrest throughout the Paris Olympics final month on suspicion of shopping for cocaine, Hockey Australia mentioned Wednesday.
Craig will serve not less than half of the ban, which started on September 9, with the remaining six months to be suspended if the participant met conduct necessities, a Hockey Australia assertion mentioned.
The 29-year-old was launched with out cost, however was given a warning by a decide after French police detained him for allegedly attempting to purchase cocaine in Paris days after Australia misplaced their hockey quarter-final on the Video games.
“Craig is required to finish necessary coaching and education schemes as a part of his sanction,” mentioned the assertion.
“Tom has had entry to all the athlete help providers underneath our program and he’ll proceed to take action all through his suspension. His welfare stays our precedence.”
Craig will likely be eligible for the 2025 Australia squad, which will likely be introduced on the finish of the yr.
Craig admitted he had “made a horrible mistake” following his launch from custody and apologised to his household, associates, team-mates and the Australia Olympic staff.
“I’ve embarrassed you all and am really sorry,” he mentioned.
Anna Meares, the Chef de Mission of the Australian staff in Paris, mentioned Craig was “a great one who made a nasty resolution”.
Craig made his worldwide debut in 2014 and has performed greater than 100 instances for Australia. He was a part of the silver medal-winning staff on the Tokyo Olympics three years in the past.
He scored a hat-trick towards England on the 2018 World Cup in India to assist Australia to the bronze medal. AFP