# Pakistan to play Australia in the final on Sunday
# Burras hot favourites to win their first Sultan of Johor Cup title
By Rizal Abdullah
Pakistan took a 8-1 beating at the hands of Australia in the round robin match on Friday but the Asian hockey powerhouse has promised a “totally different match” when the two cross paths again on Sunday – this time the final of the sixth edition of Sultan of Johor Cup.
Delighted with his team’s first ever appearance in the final after five failed attempts, although it came the hard way. Pakistan defeated debutants Japan 2-1 in their final round robin match at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru on Saturday.
Both teams were in with a chance of making the final. Pakistan needed a win and Japan needed only a draw but in the end it was the more experienced Pakistan side who came off a 2-1 winners and second place in the round robin league with 10 points. Australia finished on top with 11 points after a 2-2 draw against England in the first match of the day.
“It is a morale booster for us to reach the final for the first time in six outings,” said Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman.
Pakistan’s best ever placing in the five editions of the tournament has been a fourth placing and this was in 2012 and 2013. Pakistan finished at the bottom in 2014 and 2015.
But Tahir Zaman has whipped a team that was considered rank outsiders before the tournament into a champion material,
Players like skipper Mohammad Dilber and Riaz have churned out master class performances to lead Pakistan into the final and they showed that “anything can happen” in the final after the 2-1 win over Japan 2-1 in the decider.
“The final is a different day and it will be a different match … not a bullying match,” said Tahir after seeing off Japan.
“The first target coming here was to be on the podium and we’ve done that. So there will be less pressure on my players in the final. It’s a pressure facing Australia because of their strength but I want to see my players enjoy their game.
Pakistan were organised from the very start and wasted no time in taking the lead after Abu Bakar Mahmood scored from a penalty corner in the fourth minute before doubling his personal tally in the 11th minute from open play.
Japan were slow to get their act together but managed to pulled one back through Kyohei Ogawa’s field goal in the 21st minute. Japan had numerous chances as the match progressed – including a penalty corner just after the hooter – but could not find a crucial second goal that would have put them in the final instead of Pakistan.
Japan coach Kyoichi Nagaya said the Pakistanis were faster and his players only became systematic after being two goals down. Yet he was satisfied with their overall display.
“It’s disappointing to miss out on the final after coming close but I’m satisfied with how we’ve done since the start of this competition and we’ll be out to finish third on Sunday,” said Nagaya.
Meanwhile, Malaysia registered their first win in the tournament with a come from behind 2-1 win over winless New Zealand. The two cross paths again in the classification match for 5th and 6th place.
