Hockey: Oman, Pakistan share spoils in eight-goal thriller

Sports Saturday 17/February/2018 21:04 PM
By: Times News Service
Hockey: Oman, Pakistan share spoils in eight-goal thriller

Muscat: Two consecutive defeats would have devastated the morale of any team. But not Oman as they forced formidable Pakistan to share points in an eight-goal thriller in the ongoing Oman Triangular Series hockey tournament at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Saturday.
In fact, the hosts were close to pulling off a sensational victory against their fancied opponents when they took a 4-3 lead but Shafqat Rasool spared Pakistan blushes with his second goal of the match.
As in their previous two matches, which the hosts lost by 3-0 margin against Pakistan and Japan respectively, Oman were behind by the same three-goal margin just ten minutes to the match.
However, Oman showed how much they have improved under Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman to pump in four goals in less than 15 minutes to take the lead.
After Shafqat Rasool scored the first of his two goals in the 10th minute, adding the ones scored by Muhammed Arslan Qadir and Abu Mahmood, Asaad Mubarak Al Qasmi scored a splendid field goal to pull one back for Oman in the 11th minute.
Nine minuter later, Mahmood Al Hasni scored off a penalty corner to further reduce the lead and Mahmood Bait Shamaiaa made brought the score to parity with another field goal in the 24th minute.
Then it was the turn of Rashad Al Fazari to power Oman into the lead with a 25th short corner conversion.
However, Shafqat’s second goal in the 43rd minute ended Oman’s hopes of famous victory and ensured that Pakistan had a share of the points.
With five points from three matches, Pakistan are assured of a place in Tuesday’s final while Oman’s chances of reaching the summit clash will depend on the outcome of the two remaining league stage matches.
Japan, who held Pakistan 2-2 and defeated Oman 3-0 in the previous matches, take on Pakistan on Sunday and then play Oman on Monday.
The Oman Hockey Association (OHA) is organising the three-team invitational tournament to help the Sultanate’s squad in their preparations for the forthcoming Asian Games Hockey Qualifier.
Oman are scheduled to host Asian Games Hockey Qualifier from March 2 to 10.