Bhubaneswar: In a high voltage Pool D encounter of the Men’s Hockey World Cup, Malaysia held Pakistan to a 1-1 draw at the Kalinga Stadium here Wednesday. Muhammad Atiq scored for Pakistan in the 51st minute, while Faizal Saari restored parity just after three minutes.
Malaysia started aggressively and got a penalty corner in the third minute, but Razie Rahim couldn’t flick right. Pakistan retaliated to earn a penalty corner for them just after a minute. But Subramiam Kumar made a brilliant save off Aleem Bilal’s powerful flick. Pakistan mopped up at the back and tried to advance down the center. Hassan Sardar looked on as Pakistan attempted to settle in. Aijaz attempted to break down the right and Malaysia secured a penalty corner at the other end in the eighth minute. But Razie failed to score as Imran Butt padded the flick away.
Malaysians tried a high press and there was not much space for the white shirts to advance. Meanwhile, Pakistan managed to steal the ball and advance, but no damage was done. The tension-filled first quarter finished barren.
Pakistan tried to set the pace at the start of the second quarter when Ali Shan sent in a cross from the left, but Malaysia cleared the lines and advanced. Pakistan sent in two crosses from the center, but none of their players could latch on to them. Abu Baker’s cross went harmlessly over the backline and Malaysia tried and built an attack but failed to get far though.
The Malaysians tried the left flank and Faizal Saari earned a penalty corner in the 22nd minute, but Faiz Jaali’s flick was saved. Malaysia appealed for another penalty corner for obstruction only to lose the referral. They tried for some vertical passes from the back, but the cross was wasteful.
Pakistan came back well to earn a penalty corner in the 28th minute, but wasted the opportunity. The second half was also goalless much to the disappointment of the full capacity crowd.
After the change of ends Pakistan went all out for an early attack, but couldn’t get past the Malaysian defense. Malaysia had a long corner and they pressed ahead with much purpose. Pakistan then stole the ball with a long pass, but it was cleared. Both the teams were lacking punch in the striking circle.
Malaysia got another penalty corner in the 39th minute, but failed to break the deadlock. Pakistan also tried their best to break into the opposition, but couldn’t get through with the third quarter also getting unproductive.
In the fourth and final quarter Pakistan pressed hard and tried the right through Umar Bhutta, but failed to get a cross in. The Malaysians tried a quick encounter but the shot was wide off the target. The tension in the air was palpable as both the teams were trying to avert the devastating last moment goal. But what they say attack was the best way to defend and Pakistan did that exactly.
Muhammad Atiq deflected a shot from the left flank well set by Riwan in the 51st minute to score the first goal of the match. Malaysia fought back to get a penalty corner in the 54th minute, but it was discarded by Pakistan referral. Malaysia continued with the surge to get another penalty corner in the 56th minute and Faizal Saari struck the equaliser. Both the teams tried desperately to break the deadlock hereafter, but failed in their attempts only to play out a stalemate.
