Pakistan Defeated New Zealand in Sultan Azlan Shah Men’s Hockey Tournament

Pakistan men’s hockey team defeated New Zealand 6-3 in Sultan Azlan Shah Men’s hockey tournament. The sixth ranked Pakistan played superb and dominated throughout the match. However, New Zealanders also created some challenges for Pakistan. In fact, ninth ranked New Zealand opened scoring in the 11^th minute of the match, before Pakistan bounced back to score four goals within next 15 minutes. During half time, the score line was 4-2.

The New Zealand Herald reported:

Phillip Burrows gave New Zealand the lead after just 11 minutes from a well-taken field goal but the sixth ranked Pakistanis came back to score four in 15 minutes.

Hayden Shaw narrowed the margin with a penalty corner goal just before halftime and then made it 4-3 from a second penalty corner.

New Zealand defeated Indian in the tournament opener. They will take on hot Malaysia in the next game of the tournament. Pakistan defeated host Malaysia in their opening match of the tournament.

India Going to Take Part in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

Indian failed to qualify to the Hockey event of Beijing Olympics Games 2008 recently. It is going to be the first time Indian hockey team is going to miss a Olympics Games in last 80 years. Recently, a much-publicized bribery incident followed by the sack of Indian Hockey Federation has drawn huge criticism. Now, Indian hockey team has a good chance to compensate to their humiliating recent performances this week. India is going to take part in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup this week along with four Olympic qualified sides: Canada, Belgium, Pakistan and New Zealand.

AFP reported:

How India fare will be closely watched with the national team in crisis after a bribery scandal and failure to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in 80 years saw their controversial hockey federation sacked.

The omens however do not look good, with the fallen giants winning only one of eight games at two mini tournaments in Australia over the past fortnight.

Besides India and four Olympic qualified teams, host Malaysia and Argentina are also going to take part in the competition. Now, let us see if Indian can make some good performances in the tournament which would be a consolation for the Indian hockey fans who are disheartened by India’s recent performance.