Germany-Pakistan showdown

29/03/2003

DEFENDING champions Germany had to dig deep into their reserves to beat a
stubborn New Zealand 3-2 to keep their record clean in the Azlan Shah Cup
in Ipoh, yesterday.
Germany will meet Pakistan to decide the winner tomorrow, with the
Germans having a slight advantage as they won 4-3 in the pool match. But
Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh warned that they aim to topple the defending
champions, making it a mouth-watering final.
Pakistan played one of their worst matches yesterday, but still managed
to beat South Korea 1-0.
In the first match, Germany scored two quick goals before the first
quarter of the match but the Kiwis were a determined lot and fought for
every ball and managed to get the equaliser.
Max Landshut scored off a penalty corner in the eighth minute and
Christopher Zeller sounded the board in the 14th minute and the Germans
were sure they had broken the Kiwis.
But New Zealand charged back into the game after Hayden Shaw flicked in
a penalty stroke in the 30th minute, and they went into the dressing room
with an outside chance of winning the match.
And 10 minutes into the second half, they got the equaliser when Wayne
McIndoe sneaked unnoticed and slammed home.
Germany were in no mood to share points with the Kiwis and when
Christoph Beckmann's cheeky scoop sailed over goalkeeper Paul Woolford in
the 53rd minute, they were back in control and sailed home with 12 points
from four matches.
In the second match, South Korea needed four goals to pip Pakistan to
the final, but a fourth minute penalty corner settled the dispute early.
Sohail Abbas' flick grazed the top bar and crashed into the back of the
goalmouth.
Korea were as stubborn as ever and they went on the offensive but
goalkeeper Ahmad Alam was in form and the slim lead remained at half time.
The second half was a drab affair as Korea struggled to hold the ball,
while the Pakistan forwards were blunt in the semi-circle.
Korea pressed very hard in the last five minutes, but Ahamd Alam was in
no mood to settle for a draw.
AT A GLANCE
GERMANY.........3 NEW ZEALAND......2
SOUTH KOREA.....0 PAKISTAN.........1
(END)