South Korea took a 1-0 halftime lead after Sun Din scored in the 30th minute following a closely fought first half
With two victories from the opening two matches, Pakistan now hold a 2-0 lead in the four-match Test series against South Korea, putting the hosts in a strong position to win the series. PHOTO: PHF
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan staged an impressive second-half comeback to defeat South Korea 3-1 in the second Test of the four-match FIH-sanctioned bilateral hockey series on Saturday, taking a commanding 2-0 lead.
After a tightly contested first half, South Korea broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when Sun Din scored a field goal to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage heading into the interval.
Pakistan responded immediately after the restart with a more aggressive approach. Abdul Rehman equalized in the 33rd minute with a well-taken field goal, shifting the momentum firmly in the hosts’ favour.
The home side continued to press and was rewarded in the 52nd minute when captain Abu Bakar Mahmood converted a penalty corner to put Pakistan ahead 2-1. Mahmood struck again in the final minute of regulation time, converting another penalty corner to seal a convincing 3-1 victory and complete Pakistan’s second successive win of the series.
Mahmood’s two-goal performance earned him the player of the match award.
Pakistan responded immediately after the restart with a more aggressive approach. Abdul Rehman equalized in the 33rd minute with a well-taken field goal, shifting the momentum firmly in the hosts’ favour. PHOTO: PHF
The match was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi as the chief guest. He witnessed the contest from the stands and later praised the performance of both teams during the post-match ceremony.
Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani presented a commemorative shield to Governor Kundi, who described the successful hosting of international hockey in Pakistan as an encouraging sign for the revival of the sport in the country.
Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board, Yawar Hussain, also attended the ceremony.
The match officials included umpires Fahad Ali Khan and Asad Abbas, with Muhammad Sajid Raza serving as the reserve umpire and Haroon Rashid as the video umpire.
The technical panel comprised Technical delegate Muhammad Shafiq, umpire manager Faiz Muhammad Faizi, technical official Hamza Tufail, scoring judge Muhammad Zahid, timing judge Mehboob Javed and judge Adnan Shahzad. Rawalpindi District Hockey Association President Zaheer-ul-Haq Tahir Shirazi, PHF Camp Coordinator Abdul Nasir Akhunzada, Chief Coordinator and Operations Najeeb Khattak, Media Coordinator Muhammad Waqas Sheikh and other officials were also present.
With two victories from the opening two matches, Pakistan now hold a 2-0 lead in the four-match Test series against South Korea, putting the hosts in a strong position to win the series.
