Sixth title for Australia, barely...

RESULTS -- Fifth-Sixth: South Korea 2 India 1; Third-Fourth: New Zealand 2 Great Britain 4; Final: Pakistan 2 Australia 3.

WORLD No 1 Australia were made to sweat buckets before edging Pakistan 3-2 in sudden-death play to win their sixth Azlan Shah Cup title in Ipoh last night.
World campions Australia never looked like they had the first half in hand, as Asian Games champions Pakistan ran rings around them with skilful and speedy forward Shakeel Abbasi leading the counter attacks.
However, Australia got the lucky break they were looking for when Christopher Ciriello scored off their second penalty corner in the 11th minute. It was a powerful grounder which caught the entire defense napping.
But instead of dominating, the Australians were forced to defend in numbers as Pakistan kept attacking in waves, only to miss a handful of sitters.
Pakistan could not score off their first penalty corner, and the second they received in the 31st minute also almost went to waste.
Skipper Muhammad Imran failed to trap the ball, but kept possession and made a deft pass to Sohail Abbas on his left and the penalty corner world record holder dragged in a powerful flick for the equaliser.
Australia, playing at half their capabilities, still managed to re-take the lead when Glenn Turner was given an acre of space to run in the 44th minute, and slam the ball in with ease.
But still, Pakistan kept on playing super hockey and in the 62nd minute, Rehan Butt made it 2-2 from close range, after Shakeel made another brilliant run and made a piercing pass to him to take the match into sudden-death extra-time.
Australia made it count in the sudden-death, when Ciriello nailed the winner off a penalty corner attempt in the 81st minute.
In the bronze fight, Olympic hosts Great Britain came back from a goal down to beat New Zealand 4-2.
The Britain goals were scored by Richard Mantell (34th), Robert Moore (51st), Richard Smith (59th), Matthew Daly (65th).
Stephen Jenness scored for the Kiwis in the 20th minute, while Blair Hilton's 69th minute effort was a little too late to salvage the match.
And when last year's joint finalists India and South Korea clashed in the first match if the day, the Koreans were more motivated and won 2-1.
The Korean goals were scored by Nam Hyun Woo (11th), Jang Jong Hyun (21st).
Vikram Pillay socred India's goal in the 41st minute.