Azlan Shah hockey: Pakistan survive Kiwi scare

KUALA LUMPUR: Imran Warsi scored a 69th minute penalty corner to give Pakistan a crucial 3-3 draw against New Zealand in their Group B match in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on Tuesday.

The draw gave both teams four points from two matches and kept them firmly in line for a semi-final berth. But both teams need to secure one more point from their remaining matches on Thursday to confirm their place.

Pakistan, ranked fifth in the world, will play Argentina in the last match while the Kiwis, winners of the World Cup qualifiers in Changzhou in China in April, will play the Netherlands.

The Netherlands, third in the world ranking, also stayed in the hunt for a semi-final place with a 4-1 win over Argentina Monday.

The Pakistanis appeared a little lethargic and could not keep pace with the fast attacks by the Kiwis who easily broke down through the middle. On Monday they overcame the Netherlands 3-2 with a classic performance, but in their latest outing it took two penalty corners and a penalty stroke to save the match.

Pakistan manager Shahid Ali Khan said they were lucky to have won a point from the match as the New Zealand side played a much better game.

Former Olympic champions Netherlands kept alive their hopes of a semis berth from Group B with a 4-1 win over Argentina in an earlier match. The Dutch on Monday lost 2-3 to Pakistan and needed a win to stay in line for a semi-final place. They will next play New Zealand on Thursday and a win will confirm their place.