Pakistan finally managed to win a match at the Champions Trophy when they beat Olympic champions Argentina 4-1 at theĀ De Bredase Hockey and Bandy Club Stadium.
The 13thĀ ranked Pakistanis were a much-improved side and made good of their chances in the game.
Their chances of making the final are gone after three earlier defeats. But they can still hope for a third placing playoff and a podium finish.
Pakistan midfielder Ahmad Butt earned his 100thĀ cap in the match.
It was the Pakistanis first win in the tournament. Earlier they had lost to India 0-4, Australia 1-2 andĀ Holland 0-4.
The Argentines had started off with a 2-1 win over Holland and then lost 1-2 to India and drew 1-1- with Belgium.
The last meeting between the two teams was at the World Hockey League Semifinals in 2017 when the South Americans won 3-1.
It was Pakistan that took the lead in the 10thĀ minute when Mohamed Irfan Junior scored from close range after receiving a cross in the D.
But the Olympic champions managed to draw level in the 29thĀ minute off a field attempt by Mathias Paredes. The third quarter failed to see any goals by either side.
But Pakistan came alive in the last quarter and scored two goals to take the match.
Mubasha Ali scored in the 47thĀ minute off their fourth penalty corner attempt.
Then in the 49thĀ minute, Ajaz Ahmad added the third off a field attempt.
And two minutes before the match ended the Pakistanis gained a penalty stroke after a foul in the D by the South Americans.
Aleem Bilal scored with a low flick.
Pakistan had six penalty corners in the match with one goal scored while the Argentines had three and failed to score even one.
Argentine skipper Pedro Ibarra said that the team played badly and could not rise to the occasion.
āIt is just bad play. There is no way you can win of you play his bad. Yes, we had chances to get the goals and also three penalty corners. But the game was not about the corners. Our performance was not up to mark. That is all,ā he said.
Pakistan coach Roelant Oltmans said that the team performed better and had learned from the earlier mistakes.
āIt is all about keeping the momentum going. I the earlier matches we missed early chances to score and paid the price.
āToday it was much better and all the players did what they were supposed to do,ā he said.
Oltmans said that they will now focus on the last match with BelgiumĀ on Friday.
āWe want to continue winning and hope to get ready for the match. Belgium is one of the best-prepared teams here and will be a tough one to beat.
āOverall we have played well in patches,ā he added.
At this stage, the final two berths are still an open affair. Australia has seven points while India and Holland are on six.
The Argentines with four points are unlikely to be a final contender along with Pakistan who has three points.
RESULTS
Argentina 1 Pakistan 4
India 1 Belgium 1
FRIDAY’S FIXTURES
Belgium vs Pakistan
