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KARACHI: Spearhead
Mahmood Ali blasted a splendid hat-trick to propel Pakistan to
a commanding 4-0 victory over the Netherlands in third junior
hockey Test at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium Saturday.
After enjoying one goal lead
by 57th minutes, Pakistan forwards torn apart Dutch defence by
scoring three goals in space of seven minutes to take 2-1 lead
in the four match series.
The fourth and final hockey
Test will be played on Sunday.
Diminutive Vehari-born
Mahmood Ali after scoring the opening goal early in the first
half, blasted two snap field goals in late into the second
session to complete his hat-trick. Half-back Khalid Mahmood
hammered the other goal.
Though the visiting team
created few solid inroads into Pakistan danger zone. However
they struggled in hot weather once again. After early
exchanges, Mahmood put the home team infront when he utilized
a neat pass from Khalid Mahmood to score Pakistan's opening
goal in the 9th minute.
Dutch forced their first
short corner in 18th minutes but Wouter Jolie's attempt was
thwarted by Pakistan defenders. Soon afterwards, Akhtar Ali
came close to double the score after a timely pass inside the
circle. But Akhtar's powerful shoot rebounded after hitting
the right side of the goal post. Dutch boys mustered their
second penalty corner six minute from the breather but they
failed to get any benefit out of it.
After resumption Netherlands
players launched a couple of solid attacks at Pakistan goal.
Klass Staatsen missed a sitter in 43rd minute off a pass from
Teun Rohof. Pakistan forward were on rampage in the last 13
minutes and banged three goals including three in space of
mere seven minutes to sealed the fate of the match. Lanky half
back scored Pakistan's second goal in 58th off an indirect
penalty corner attempt.
Three minute later Pakistan
juniors struck again to make it 3-0. Showing great opportunism
Mahmood Ali deflected a powerful shot from the top of the
circle as Dutch custodian watched haplessly. Mahmood Ali ended
the match in blaze of glory when scored his third goal in 62nd
minute on a combined effort.
Pakistan coach Asif Bajwa in
the post match comments expressed his satisfaction over the
performance of the team. "We heading into right direction and
getting good build-up for the Junior Asia Cup,". "Our forward
maintained a great pressure on Dutch team and that is want
they were unable to penetrate into the Pakistan danger zone.
He said they tried out some new boys like Waqas, Abbas Haider,
Sajjad and Mustansir Shaikh in third match. He said that
helped management of the team to monitor their potential and
talent.
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