LAHORE: Hosts Pakistan outplayed holders Australia 2-1 in the second semi-final of the World Cup Hockey Championship to set up a title clash with Holland.
The overflowing national hockey stadium erupted in joy when defender Khalid Bashir banged home the match winner in the 44th minute after the two teams were level one all at the breather.
Amjum Saeed set the pattern of play for former Champions Pakistan who charged themselves up beat Australia at their own game, Greg Corbitt infused fresh lease of life with the equalizer in the tenth minute but that was all Australia could do.
Pakistan, who reached the final for the fifth time in seven world cups will meet European champions Holland for top honors on Friday.
Holland rode into the final with a 3-2 verdict over Olympic silver medalist ‘West Germany in the other semifinals today. Floris Jan Bovelander converted two penalty corners while captain Mare Delissen scored from a stroke after West Germany pushed the match into extra time with Carsten Fisher striking twice in the second half.
‘On resumption, the Australian attack seemed to be thrown into confusion for some time. Their open ended play was no match to the speed and skill exhibited so well by Pakistan and epitomized by the forward line.
Right winger Qamar Ibrahim, who had an indifferent match against West Germany in their last league fixture, proved a worthy partner to the left wingers Shahbaz Ahmed and Waseem Feroze today with Ken Work tagged onto Feroze. Ibrahim moved up to give some excellent passes across the goalmouth,
The frenzied spectators, ecstasy knew no bounds when Khalid Bashir sounded the board in the 44th minute off Pakistan’s fourth penalty comer. The goal proved to be the match winner which prompted one Pakistani fan to run into the field and present a souvenir for Captain Qazi Rehman.
The typical aussie grit came to fore. Their forwards Andrew Deane and Batch Kep motivating the team with some improvisations, The Pakistan goal survived a close call in the 49th minute when Deane dribbled his way past the left and uneased a stinging drive on the run, it was goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmed’s alertness that foiled the attempt made from an angle.
Australia got two more penalty corners in the second half with one in the S6th and another in 58th minutes. Michaeal York’s hit was cleared by Tahir Zaman once while the second time Mansoor Ahmed Upstaged Yori by charging out and stopping him from taking the hit
Pakistan had a chance from their fifth penalty corner in the 51st minute but Bashir, the architect of Pakistan’s victory was for off the mark this time.
Pakistan, who won the world cup in 1971, 1978 and 1982, will meet Holland for the third time in a span of one year. Pakistan beat Holland to win the Indira Gandhi International Gold Cup at Lucknow in January 1989 but lost to them at the champion’s trophy at West Berlin last June,
Holland, bronze medalists at the Seoul Olympics have figured in the final twice earlier, they won the cup in Amsterdam defeating India in 1973 and were runners up to Pakistan in Bombay world cup eight years ago.
Eelier the day, England defeated France 4-0 and will play the Soviet Union for the fifth spot tomorrow. Previous world cup semifinalist Soviet ‘Union overcame Spain 2-1 in another classification match.
‘Spain’s Ignacio Escude continued to be the top scorer of the Championship taking his tally to eight having scored against USSR today,
Floris Jan Bouvelander of Holland follows him with seven, with two goals against West Germany today. His teammate Marc Delissen is third with six goals to his credit.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 2, 1990
