Sohail strike saves Pakistan

Pakistan’s penalty corner ace Sohail Abbas saved his side from a humiliating exit at Malaysia’s hands with a last-gasp goal that forced a 2-2 draw.

Pakistan is yet to get any closer to confirming semi-final berths even though just one match remained in the preliminary league.

India, second in Group B with seven points to Australia’s eight, must beat Poland in their last match to stay in contention.

South Korea, however, stand in the way, with five points and two matches in hand against Poland and the hosts.

Pakistan need a victory over the Dutch on Tuesday to qualify, while the Germans will go through with a draw against Great Britain.

The Pakistanis, who have six points, are currently lying third in Group A behind the Dutch and Germany, who have eight points each.

The Malaysians appeared set to end a 14-year losing streak against Pakistan when, with one minute to go, they led 2-1 through goals by Suhaimi Ibrahim.

Pakistan, however, earned a penalty corner 40 seconds before the final hooter and Abbas pushed home to earn his side a valuable point.

Malaysia, whose last win over Pakistan came way back at the Asian Games in Seoul in 1986, were served well by goalkeeper Nasihin Ibrahim.

Nasihin thwarted three penalty corners by Abbas, before the versatile Pakistani defender had the last laugh.

A relieved Islauddin Siddiqui, the Pakistani manager, said his team needed to improve “100 percent” if it was to qualify for the semi-finals.

“We were lucky today, but we can’t be lucky every day”, Lahuddin said. “We must play 100 percent better if we are to defeat the Dutch.”

Australia, meanwhile, scored twice in a six-minute burst to bury Argentina.

The Argentines were headed for an upset when versatile striker Jorge Lombi scored his seventh goal of the tournament to put his team ahead in the 54th minute.

The Australians, backed by a full house at the 15,000 seater State Hockey Centre, drew level two minutes later through Daniel Sproule, before Michael Brennan scored the winner in the 62nd.

The Dutch earned a penalty stroke in the third minute gainst the Germans, which Stephen Veen easily converted to give his team an early lead.

Teun de Nooijer made it 2-0 in the 20th, but the Germans drew level before half-time with two quick goals from Bjoern Michel and Ulrich Moissl.