Pakistan edge past Canada
Pakistan came back from a goal down on Monday to edge Canada 2-1 and register their third win in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament being held in Malaysia.
Three-time champions Pakistan now have 10 points from three wins and a draw. They have two matches left to play against Belgium on Wednesday and India on Thursday.
Canada, meanwhile, have three points from one win and two defeats but surprised Pakistan by taking a lead in the first minute through Kullar Bindi.
Sukhwinder Singh's through pass was delicately steered into the goal by Bindi. Pakistan forwards led by Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt created a number of chances in the first-half but failed to score.
They kept up the pressure in the second-half but had to wait until the last six minutes of the match to score two quick goals within three minutes.
Defender Muhammad Saqlain's cross from the left was deflected into the goal by Butt in the 64th minute.
Saqlain scored Pakistan's winning goal three minutes later, off a penalty corner set-piece.
"We were under pressure with just minutes left on the clock. However, I am relieved that we scored two goals in the last six minutes of the match to collect full points," said Pakistan coach Naveed Alam.
"I hope the forwards will rise to occasion in the last two matches to qualify for the final," he said.
India, playing with 12 juniors in their squad, defeated Olympic-bound Belgium 6-4 to register their second win. India now have six points from two wins and two defeats.
It was Belgium's third consecutive loss, and placed them bottom of the standings without no points.
Forward Shivendra Singh (9th, 68th) and defender Sandeep Singh (29th, 35th) each scored a brace while Diwakar Ram (22nd), and SV Sunil (32nd) scored the other goals for India.
Thomas Briels scored a brace for Belgium in the 45th and 59th minutes.
Alexandre De Sadeleer (24th) and Charles Vandeweghe (61st) were the other scorers.
"We will go all out to win our two remaining matches against Pakistan on Thursday and India on Saturday to qualify for the third placing playoff," India's coach A.K. Bansal said, after the match.
The tournament takes a break Tuesday before resuming Wednesday to see New Zealand go against Argentina, Belgium against Pakistan, while hosts Malaysia will meet Canada.
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