25-Dec-2011
The News
FAISALABAD: Pakistan on Saturday emerged victorious in a four-match series with China, the first international hockey in the troubled country since 2004.
Pakistan notched up a 3-1 victory after taking the first two meetings in the port city Karachi earlier this week by 3-0 and 5-3. Their final match will be played in Lahore on Sunday (today), but Saturday’s win gives Pakistan the series’ title.
Before a home crowd in the city of Faisalabad, Pakistani forward Ali Shan struck in the second minute of the match, scoring a field goal to give the hosts an early lead in the series’ third encounter.
Vice-captain Shakeel Abbasi doubled Pakistan’s lead with another field goal in the 21st minute. Chinese Liu Yixian converted a penalty corner in the 61st minute to give the visitors their only goal of the match. Pakistan’s Waqas Sharif drew another field goal in the 64th minute to help his side cap their victory.
A campaign of Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked attacks across Pakistan, including an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, made Pakistan a virtual “no go” zone for international sport. Pakistan, which last hosted an international hockey game seven years ago, hopes the Chinese tour will help convince other foreign teams to visit.
The country is also working to resume a bilateral hockey series with arch-rivals India, after they were suspended following the Mumbai attacks in 2008.
Caption
FAISALABAD: Pakistan goalkeeper Imran Shah (centre) stops a goal attempt by China during their third match here on Saturday.
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