LAHORE: Pakistan defeated New South Wales State team 3-2 in the final of Australia’s National Junior Hockey Championships in Hobart on Saturday.
New South Wales were the only undefeated side in the 10-team competition and were also the side which inflicted on Pakistan their only loss of the tour.
In the final, Pakistan played according to a plan right from the start with top scorer of the tournament in Naveed Alam scoring through a field goal in the 13th minute to open account for his side.
With Pakistan Colts extending the lead, the 24th minute, saw Ahmed Nadeem succeeding in converting a penalty corner to make it 2-0 at half time.
Down by three goals, New South Wales didn’t give up. They were awarded a penalty stroke within four minutes with their most prolific scorer Ehren Hazell cashing in on it.
It remained 3-1 with just five minutes to go. In the 65th minute, Daine Richards caused a stir, converting a penalty corner to reduce Pakistan’s lead to 3-2.
However, New South Wales couldn’t score the equaliser. Pakistan played as many as eight matches winning seven and losing one.