KARACHI: Veteran striker Rehan Butt’s superb goal helped Pakistan hold 2008 silver medalists Spain to a 1-1 draw in their opening match of London 2012 men’s hockey competition at the Riverbank Arena on Monday.
Butt, who was discarded after last year’s Champions Trophy only to be recalled for the Olympics, justified his selection with a 46th minute goal that gave Pakistan a ‘positive’ start in London.
“It’s a positive start and now we intend to build on the vital point that we have earned today by holding a tough team like Spain in our opening match,” said Khawaja Junaid, Pakistan’s coach. “We could have finished with a win today but a few chances were squandered,” the former Olympian told ‘The News’.
A spirited Pakistan side, which is placed three spots below Spain at number 8 in the world, played out a goalless first half and then stunned their opponents with a field goal early in the second session of the Pool A game. Butt weighed his options after receiving a perfect pass from young striker Haseem Khan before slamming it past the Spanish goalie to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead. But the Spaniards levelled scores within seconds when Pau Quemada’s splendid reverse hit went through the gap between goalie Imran Shah’s shoes.
“It was the only mistake that Imran made today,” said Junaid. “Otherwise his keeping was commendable,” added the coach.Pakistan were unable to score through either of the two short corners that came their way. One of Sohail Abbas’ two flicks was deflected out after hitting the cross bar.
“It was bad luck,” Asif Bajwa, secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), said after the match. “Our team played well today and I’m sure that it would show improvement as the tournament progresses.”
Pakistan have failed to convert any of their short corners since reaching London where they’ve also played two practice games last week but team officials are not concerned. “The goals would come,” said Bajwa, a former Olympian.
Junaid, meanwhile, pointed out that Sohail, the team captain, is doing a good job. “Both of his pushes were excellent. He was just unlucky,” said Junaid.
Meanwhile, Pakistan wasted several scoring chances after surviving sustained Spanish attacks in the first session and later in the second half saw a Spanish goal being negated after the umpire had blown the whistle and pointed to the centre.
Spain had the rival goal under intense pressure in the Group A encounter when the Pakistan defenders were unable to clear the ball for 10 minutes.Pakistan were unlucky that striker Mohammad Rizwan twice faltered after getting into goal-scoring positions.
A Spanish goal was overturned after video referral later on when Pakistan protested against a striker swinging the stick to slam a rising ball into the net.
Aussies hammer SA 6-0, Korea down NZ
Earlier, captain Jamie Dwyer scored a hat-trick as world champions Australia launched their Olympic hockey campaign with a thumping 6-0 victory over South Africa.
Dwyer’s three strikes helped him equal the Australian record of 179 international goals held by Mark Hager, who is coach of the New Zealand team at these Olympics.
Dwyer was instrumental in earning both penalty strokes that he went on to convert and also scored on a penalty corner as Australia outplayed South Africa in the Pool A match.
Australia fired four goals in the second session to outpace South Africa, while Asian Games winners South Korea earlier held off a late New Zealand charge to post a 2-0 win in Pool B.
You Hyo-Sik scored two field goals for South Korea against New Zealand.
“I’m excited about scoring twice as I’ve been waiting for a goal on the international stage for a long time,” said You, who deflected diagonal crosses past New Zealand goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex.
New Zealander Simon Child wasted an early scoring opportunity by shooting wide before You put South Korea ahead in the 19th minute by capitalising on a diagonal ball from Kang Moon-Kyu.
You again found the target one minute before half-time on a pass from Jang Jong-Hyun. —With inputs from agencies.
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LONDON: Pakistan’s Rehan Butt (right) shoots and scores past Spain’s goalkeeper during their men’s Group A hockey match at the 2012 Olympic Games at the Riverbank Arena here on Monday
