LILLE, France: Sohail Abbas struck twice which enabled Pakistan into the 2010 World Cup finals in New Delhi with a hard-fought 3-1 triumph over spirited Japan in the final of the World Cup Qualifers here at the Lille Metropole Hockey Club on Sunday.
Pakistan braved 30 intense minutes in the second half and freezing weather conditions to tame Japan once again in the tournament after beating their main rivals 6-1 in a league match three days back.
But it was a different story today as the young Japanese team made life tough for the Pakistani defense in the second session after conceding a 1-3 lead by the 40th minute.
After having suffered a shock 2-3 defeat against Poland in their last league game, Pakistan needed a match-winning performance from their most prolific scorer — Sohail Abbas. The drag flick specialist did not disappoint as he struck two goals and earned a penalty stroke from four short corners taken by Pakistan in the match.
By winning the Lille Qualifiers, Pakistan have become the tenth team to have made the cut for next year’s World Cup in India to be played from Feb 28-Mar 13.
Young striker Haseem Khan opened the account for Pakistan by scoring in the 12th minute but after that it was Sohail, who delighted the crowd that included dozens of Pakistanis, with a double strike. He took his tournament tally to nine goals, finishing as the six-nation event’s best scorer.
Pakistan started at a fast pace, attacking the Japanese goal twice in quick succession within the first four minutes but goalie Katsuya Kasake was alert on both occasions.
Japan earned the first short corner of the final against the run of play in the 6th minute but an indirect effort was defended well by Pakistan.
Six minutes later mercurial striker Shakeel Abbasi found the ball in the Pakistani zone, dodged a couple of defenders to give an excellent pass to Haseem Khan, who sounded the board with a perfect hit from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 for Pakistan.
Pakistan continued to push from more goals and finally managed to grab their first short corner that was converted by Sohail with a powerful flick in the 23rd minute.
Just when it seemed Pakistan were on their way to yet another comprehensive win over their rivals, Japan brought themselves back into the match when skipper Kazuhiro Tsubouchi converted a short corner with a low push that beat goalie Salman Akber.
Pakistan earned their second short corner just a minute before halftime but Sohail was unable to utilize it.
Pakistan grabbed their third short corner early in the next session and earned a stroke through Sohail’s lightning flick. But Shakeel Abbasi sent the ball too wide. However, Pakistan once again went two goals ahead when Sohail scored with a high flick in the 40th minute.
Japan took control of the proceedings with some attacking moves, forcing Pakistan to get on the back foot. But a solid defense spearheaded by skipper Zeeshan Ashraf ensured that there were no unpleasant surprises for Pakistan.
