Asian Games champions Pakistan launched their campaign in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament with a facile 4-2 victory over a fighting New Zealand in Ipoh, Malaysia on Thursday. Enjoying territorial dominance against the Black sticks, Pakistan opened the scoring in the third minute through an opportunistic goal by Muhammad Rizwan Senior, who picked up the ball in crowded goal-mouth and flicked past hapless goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex.
Kashif Shah increased the lead for Pakistan on the first penalty corner, capitalising on a rebound after a rising drag flick from Sohail Abbas was palmed away by the New Zealand goalkeeper. Pakistan was not able to score a single goal directly from five penalty corners shots, but their firepower in field play was enough to give them a three-goal lead in the 51st minute when Abdul Haseem Khan scored with a flash strike.
Pakistan's defence came under pressure when the New Zealanders forced a string of penalty corners, and succeeded in scoring their first goal on their fifth penalty corner through a low drag flick by Andrew Hayward in the 59th minute. Pakistan shot back within two minutes to increase the lead again as Umar Bhutta beat the goalkeeper with a rasping shot from top of the circle to make it 4-1.
New Zealand reduced the margin in the 63rd minute on a fine counter by Hugo Inglis. Pakistan team manager K.M. Junaid said it was an important victory as opening matches were usually tougher. "I thank the Almighty Allah for the win as it is a good start for us. We have several young players and they came away good as this is their first time playing in such humid conditions," he said. Pakistan play the South Korea on Friday while the Kiwis have two rest days before their match with South Korea on Sunday.
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