Ireland 2 - 4 Pakistan
SETANTA SPORTS TROPHY

 

Ireland             2 (2)      Tim Lewis, 8m; Timothy Cockram, 10th m.
Pakistan           4 (2)      Muhammad Waqas, 18th m, Butt Rehan, 19th m, Waqas Akbar, 65th m, Muhammad Saqlain 70th m.

 

 

In front of a packed stadium, Ireland and Pakistan entertained the crowds with end to end fast paced hockey. Ireland opened in attacking style with the first originating from Captain Gormley'ss aerial which found Magee up front to strike on the reverse but the keeper kept the first shot at bay.
 
Ireland didn't have to wait long for a reward and 21 year old Tim Lewis found himself on the end of two rebounds before he slotted the third waist height home showing great skill and reactions for a one nil lead. Only two minutes later Ireland earned their first penalty corner and a drag from Tim Cockram doubled his side's lead.
 
End to end hockey ensued and an on form David Harte pulled of some top saves in the 12th and 15th minute. Pakistan's persistence paid off finally in the 18th minute when Waqas found himself with space for the shot to the top of the corner only a minute later they found their equaliser when Butt Rehan converted his open play chance for a two all draw at half time.
 
Both sides continued to display superb skill, pace and determination as the ball moved from end to end testing both sides defences. Ireland had a superb chance to take the lead in the 16th when a free in found Butler but his deft deflection just skimmed the side of the post. Pakistan was awarded a stroke in the 20th minute but Saqlain put his attempt wide to the relief of the Irish.
 
Ireland found themselves trailing with only five minutes to go when Akbar converted his penalty corner for a 3-2 lead, which Ireland responded to by pushing forward but the resulting gap at the back left Saqlain with space to squeeze in another goal with just ten seconds on the clock.
 
Commenting after the match was Coach Passmore "I was reasonably pleased with sixty minutes. We said we would play a more open and  aggressive style of hockey, but we need to realise when Pakistan are on a role to close up shop and retain possession until we regain the initiative once again."
 
Starting XI:        Gormley; Butler; Jermyn; Magee; Shaw; Hobbs; Cockram; Maguire; Lewers; Lewis; Harte
Rolling Subs:     Southern; Burns; Darling; McCabe
Unused Sub:     Jackson
                                   
 
Matches TOMORROW:
THURSDAY 12th JUNE
2.00      GB       V          SA (w)
4.00      GB       V          Pakistan (m)
6.00      Ireland V          Germany (w)
8.00      Ireland  V         Canada (m)
 
11th June, 2008
 
 
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