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KUALA LUMPUR (Malaysia): Pakistan overcame Spain 4-2, spurred
on by Kashif Jawad's hat-trick to keep their unbeaten record
intact.
Kashif, who played in the Malaysian Hockey League two seasons
ago, scored his three goals in the 18th, 46th and 66th minutes
to send the crowd of Pakistani fans in the stands wild.
The Pakistani win sets up an intriguing clash Monday as the
table toppers will take Germany -- the only other unbeaten
team left in the tournament. Shabbir Hussin opened scoring for
Pakistan in the 7th minute and the Pakistanis were up 2-0 by
the 18th minute when Kashif made his first goal.
Spain reduced the deficit when Pol Amat picked up a rebound
off the horizontal to force the ball over the line in the 44th
minute. But Kashif regained the two-goal advantage for
Pakistan by scoring two minutes later.
Alex Fabregas Carne scored in the 64th minute, giving the
Spaniards hopes of salvaging the game, but Kashif dashed any
chances of a draw with his third goal in the 66th minute.
The victory, marked by goals from Shabbir Hussain (6th) and
Kashif Jawad (17th, 45th and 66th) took Pakistan to the top of
the league table where they displaced Germany on superior
goal-difference.
Spain, who scored through Pol Amat (43rd) when he converted a
rebound after a Xavier Ribas penalty corner flick came off the
post, and Ribas (penalty corner, 62nd) could not contain the
mercurial Pakistani forwards who sparkled with their dribbles
and dodges.
Points Table
|
Teams |
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
Goals For |
Goals
Against |
Points |
|
Pakistan |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
6 |
9 |
|
Germany |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
4 |
9 |
|
Spain |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
|
Malaysia |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
9 |
2 |
|
S. Korea |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
1 |
|
Australia |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
|
India |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
8 |
1 |
|