New Zealand down Pakistan in WC clash

New Zealand on Monday defeated Pakistan 4-2 in their Group G classification phase match of the FIH Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen. The Green-shirts recovered from a two-goal down but New Zealand held their nerves to maintain dominance until the end at the Wagener Hockey Stadium. New Zealand made a fast start, with Dylan Thomas scoring after just 20 seconds to give his side an early advantage. Scott Boyde doubled the lead in the first quarter, putting New Zealand in control. Pakistan responded in the second quarter but could not find a way through the New Zealand defence. George Baker extended the lead to 3-0 before halftime. The momentum shifted dramatically after the interval. Pakistan won a series of penalty corners and finally converted through Sufyan Khan, who pulled one back in the 32nd minute. Afraz then scored another goal from short corner in the 37th minute, reducing Pakistan’s deficit to 3-2. New Zealand regained its composure and created pressure on their oppositions. Kane Russell restored the two-goal cushion in the 49th minute by converting a penalty corner, giving Pakistan little time to mount another comeback. New Zealand finished with six penalty corners, converting one, while Pakistan earned ten and scored twice. Former Olympian Rahim Khan said Pakistan made a big mistake when they replaced Sufyan Khan in the third quarter in which the team got a few penalty corners. “I don’t know why Sufyan was replaced in the third quarter. It was not a good decision from the coach,” Rahim said. “Unless you keep top possession you cannot get more scoring chances,” said Rahim, who was part of Pakistan’s 1994 World Cup winning team.