ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Tuesday thrashed Oman 7-1 to finish top of their group and reached the quarterfinals of the Junior Asia Cup Hockey Championship currently underway in Malaysia.
The quarterfinals will be played tomorrow (Thursday). Pakistan took lead in the third minute, when Dilber scored a field goal. Abu Bakar then doubled the lead in the eighth minute through plenty corner and Bilal scored third field goal in the 15th minute to make it 3-0. Abu Bakar scored on plenty corner in the 28th minute and M Attiq scored fifth field goal in the 34th minute, before Dilber took charge of the proceedings, as he scored sixth goal for green shirts in the 62nd minute and completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute.
Talking to The Nation, Pakistan hockey team manager Brig (R) Khalid Mukhtar Farani said: “The youngsters have shown highly satisfactory performance and it also shows how far they have gone in such a short span of time. The boys played as per expectations, now the momentum is high after finishing top of the pool. We have bright chances of facing a relatively weaker opponent in the quarterfinals, but no matter whoever will be the opponent, we are ready for the challenge.”
“The first two matches gave huge confidence to the team and that's why they were simply outstanding against Oman. The boys have worked very hard on devising strategy and improving their physical fitness. They grabbed top spot and remained unbeaten in the event so far. It could have not been possible without the prayers of our nation, so it is our request to the entire nation to keep on praying for the green shirts. We will try our best to return as champions and qualify for the next year’s junior world cup,” Brig Khalid concluded.