KUALA LUMPUR, 19 January 2004 - A determined Australia ended Pakistan's unbeaten record here yesterday to triumph 4-3 and take the Azlan Shan Cup championship.
Not only did the Australians neutralize Pakistan's ace penalty corner striker Sohail Abbas, but also they kept pace with their speedy opponents throughout the 70 minutes of play.
The win marks Australia's third title in the history of the tournament after their victory in 1983's inaugural tournament and again in 1998.
Man-of-the-Match Travis Brooks put Australia ahead in the 21st minute with a superb reverse stick hit after ghosting past the Pakistani defenders on the left flank.
Australia went ahead 2-0 when Brooks scored again in the 29th minute.
Pakistan reduced the deficit with a goal from Khasif Jawad in the 30th minute.
Brooks failed to get the better of Salman Akbar from two meters out and regain Australia's two-goal advantage, and Sohail Abbas put Pakistan on level terms by converting a penalty corner in the 44th minute.
But Australia went ahead again when Michael Boyce scored a minute later.
Pakistan were awarded a penalty corner in the 48th minute but Sohail's attempt was saved on the line by Mathew Wells.
Troy Elder converted a penalty corner in the 57th minute to give Australia a 4-2 lead, and though Pakistan reduced the deficit when Abbas made good on a penalty corner in the 65th minute, they failed to get the elusive fourth goal by the end of play and had to settle for second place.
In earlier play South Korea denied reigning world champions Germany a podium finish in the Azlan Shah Cup when they finished third after prevailing on penalty strokes after drawing 3-3 in extra time yesterday.
