Pakistan Losing In Champions Trophy
Pakistan Losing In Champions Trophy: World’s No 1 hockey nation Australia edged out Pakistan 2-1 in a thrilling contest of the Champions Trophy in the Dutch city of Breda on Sunday.
Pakistan, ranked 13th, produced an improved show after being hammered by India 4-0 in their opening match of the event on Saturday.It could have been anyone’s game. However, an Australian goal in the dying minutes sealed three points for them.
Pakistan came out of the blocks quickly, making a couple of circle penetrations in the early minutes. After wasting a penalty corner, they went ahead in the ninth minute. A superb hit from outside 23 metres was expertly deflected in by unmarked Ajaz Ahmed standing alone in the mid-circle.
Pakistan made a couple of good raids, but their defence was constantly threatened by the Aussies. The world champions obtained four penalty corners in the space of five minutes. But Imran Butt, who had an outstanding game, and the rushers rose to the occasion. Soon, it was Pakistan’s turn and the Australian goalkeeper made two successive saves.
It was still all to play for when the last quarter began. Umar Bhutta penetrated beautifully into the opponents’ circle from the right, but his back pass from the goal line was wasted by Arslan Qadir.
Pakistan suffered their second consecutive defeat of the Champions Trophy on Sunday when Australia overcame the green shirts by 2-1.
The defeat came a day after Pakistan lost their opening match against arch-rivals India by 4-0. Australia drew their game 3-3 against Belgium on Saturday.
Six teams are taking part in this year’s tournament, which is the last edition of the Champions Trophy. The tournament will be replaced by the Hockey Pro League (HPL) in 2019.
Apart from hosts the Netherlands, Pakistan, Australia, Argentina, Belgium, India and Pakistan are battling for the title which will take place from June 23 to July 1.
FIH Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2018 Points Table Standings Team Position
| Position | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | GD | Points |
| 1 | India | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 6 |
| 2 | Australia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 |
| 3 | Netherlands | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 3 |
| 4 | Argentina | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Belgium | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 1 |
| 6 | Pakistan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
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