While Pakistan were made to bite the dust by a
highly-improved Japanese team, India catapulted themselves to the top of the
table in the elite six-nation contest with a 5-3 triumph over previously
unbeaten South Korea.
Meanwhile, Malaysia bounced back from back-to-back defeats
against Korea and Pakistan to tame hosts China 4-2 to keep their title hopes
alive in the tournament.
The upset of the day was Japan’s impressive win over title
favorites Pakistan. The Greenshirts, who were looking for a big win in the
match to stay on the top of the points table, got off to a great start when
Mohammad Rizwan made it 1-0 for them with a flick from close range in the fifth
minute.
But Japan managed to thwart further attempts from Pakistan
and ended the first half at 1-1 through a penalty corner strike by Koji
Kayukawa in the 35th minute.
Pakistan kept on wasting goal-scoring opportunities and had
to pay the price for their erratic display when Kenta Tanaka struck twice
within a span of two minutes late in the second half to give Japan a 3-1
victory, renewing their hopes of a surprise place in Sunday’s final.
Pakistani officials blamed their players inexperience and a
series of missed opportunities for the morale-shattering defeat that has left
Pakistan in danger of missing out on a place in the final.
We played poorly today, he said Khawaja Junaid, Pakistan’s manager.
We missed at least ten goal-scoring chances today to allow Japan to win what
was a crucial match, he lamented.
Junaid, a former Olympian, added his young team came under
pressure because of a lack of experience.
We are trying out a number of youngsters in this tournament
and today some of them were unable to handle pressure, he said.
However, Junaid was quick to add that his charges will
bounce back in bigger games against Korea and India later this week to book a
place for the final. We have two important matches coming up against Korea and
India and I’m sure the boys will regroup and give their best.
While Pakistan were left to rue their missed chances, India
were celebrating a huge win over Korea that came after a disappointing 1-1 draw
against Japan.
The Indians played at a furious pace and scored their first
four goals within the first 24 minutes of the enthralling encounter. The
Indians struck through Rupinder Singh (4th), Gurwinder Singh Chandi (5th), S.V.
Sunil (7th) and Rajpal Singh (24th). For Korea, Lee Nam Yong (8th, 26th) struck
twice to make it 4-2 during the first half.
Yuvraj Walmiki's decisive goal in the 62nd minute ensured
that India will gain full points although Nam Hyun Woo pulled one back two
minutes from the final whistle.
The result took India to the top of the pack with seven points
from three matches followed by Pakistan and Korea, who both have six points
apiece.
