England came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win over Pakistan in their opening match of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Saturday at North Harbour hockey stadium. Wild card entrants, Pakistan failed to overcome a English team and strong windy conditions, and went down before finishing the first half 1-0 in front of a full 4,000 holiday crowd.
The world number nine, Pakistan failed to break the winning jinx of the English side in the Champions Trophy. Green shirts last victory in the elite event was way back in 1994 at Lahore when they beat them 4-1. World number seven English side showed greater anticipation for the much surprise of Pakistan team, which seemed much contended with their first half lead and could not come out of the pressure as soon as the Englishmen equalised at 1-1 in the following session.
Pakistan exhibited their long standing problem of missing in action, though in total control in the first half and waited ideal sitters one after another, no matter it was a short corner of a mid field move.
Under strong sun shine with chilly winds blowing, Pakistan had a fantastic first half after dominating through persistent raiding and possession of ball with forward Haseem Khan missing the post in the 2nd minute of play. Pakistan finally stamped their supremacy four minutes before the close of the first half, converting their third short corner through skipper Mohammad Imran before wasting two penalty corners and a number of sitters.
English side also wasted three first half short corners. Forward Shakeel Abbasi also let the team down with his selfish play and desperately attempted one man show though in control of ball on occasions but did not give other forwards a chance to go on strike.
English team brought down Pakistan's supremacy with the 45th minute goal which was an exhibition of astute planning and co-ordination among three players. Lain Lewers beat a couple of Pakistani players in the mid of the field steering the ball to Ashely Jackson whose fake action surprised most of the defenders in the circle and the ball going straight to unmarked Mark Pearn who gave finishing touches to put find the right corner of the post.
The remaining play of the second session portrayed a depressing picture of Pakistani side which failed to unite could not be benefited from the services of ace penalty corner shooter Sohail Abbas who was out of the field due to substitution during the run of the play in which Pakistan earned four penalty corners. His absence was badly felt when Pakistan earned their fourth and last short corner in the 53rd minute and lost it in a direct conversion drill.
With English side on rampage through delightful moves and accurate planning Pakistan found it hard to salvage their pride. With time tickling away and worries getting grave for Pakistani side, the Englishmen closed the game in their favour by enhancing the lead at 2-1, getting two short corners in a row, wasting the fourth and then translating the fifth into a goal through Simon Mantell, five minute before the final whistle. In other three matches of the day, holders Australia defeated Spain 3-2, Germany beat New Zealand 2-1 and Holland outplayed South Korea 2-0. Pakistan will play their second match against Spain tomorrow, Sunday.
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