Hockey Champions Trophy: Pakistan beats Germany in quarter-final

[Tehmasib]

MELBOURNE: Pakistan has beaten Germany in the first quarter-final of the 34th Hockey Champions Trophy here at the State Netball Hockey Centre on Thursday, Geo News reported.

Pakistan humbled Germany by 2-1 where Shakeel Abbasi scored both the goals.

In the backdrop of three goals in as many outings and almost a dozen misses, Pakistan coaches worked all morning Tuesday to make players realise their mistakes.

In the 27 matches both countries have played so far in the Champions Trophy, Germany have won 12 times against 10 victories achieved by Pakistan. Five matches ended in draw.

Germany had a new look team with five players who helped them win the Olympic gold in London either dropped or rested.

Germany came from behind on Monday to upset India in the last pool A match.

German coach Markus Weise was all praise for the Pakistan team when he talked to the reporters here at the State Netball Centre

The Champions Trophy Hockey is witnessing the quarter-final stage for the very first time. The format has been changed to keep teams’ interest alive.

Besides a place in the semis, the victory over Germany has included Pakistan directly into next year’s Champions Trophy.

In another quarter-final on Thursday, Australia will be looking to beat England to keep themselves on the road for the record thirteenth Champions Trophy title.

However, to achieve that, Australia will need to find the back of the net more often. They scored just once during the last two games, a weakness that makes them less impressive this time. In the other quarter-finals, the Netherlands play New Zealand and India face Belgium

 

[EagleEyes]

How the Pakistani team so good all the sudden?

They were decent in Olympics but they are on fire here?

Who is the coach?

 

[fatman17]

How the Pakistani team so good all the sudden?

They were decent in Olympics but they are on fire here?

Who is the coach?

PK was lucky.

 

[Don Jaguar]

Pakistan will play semi final on 8 december 2012.

Today Netherlands will play against New Zealand the winner of today's match will play semi final against Pakistan on 8 december 2012.

 

[A.Rafay]

Congratulations Pakistan.

 

[Markus]

German coach Markus Weise was all praise for the Pakistan team when he talked to the reporters here at the State Netball Centre

What nonsense ?

I am not Germany's hockey coach.

 

[Tehmasib]

There are too many Mar Kus..................hahahahahahahaha urdu reader understand what i am saying

 

[Spring Onion]

Good show . Congrats Pakistan.

 

[Devil Soul]

Pakistan’s win was due largely to Shakeel Abbasi, who dominated and scored both of his team’s goals.

 

[OrionHunter]

Awesome!!

 

[krash]

DON"T JINX IT!!!

PK was lucky.

Not true. Not disregarding the fact that the German side was playing inexperienced youngsters except for 3, our guys actually played better than what we are used to. The possession and the shots on goal are a clear indicator of that, although too many extremely easy chances were missed. The most surprising and exciting part about our team in this tournament has been the defense, especially in this match. We haven't really been thought of as good defenders for many many years, in fact our defense has been one of the worst out there. The signs are good, don't believe that there'd be any miracles but the signs are good and i like them.

How the Pakistani team so good all the sudden?

They were decent in Olympics but they are on fire here?

Who is the coach?

Not really, they do give us sputters of hope here and there. Winning the last Asian Games gold medal, for example. I've seen these guys train in their camps. They work hard and play on natural skill and instinct due to the lack of any worthwhile training or support (although this time there seems to be a more comprehensive game plan going). Its not their fault I mean they get nothing, Rs.100/day for food....pfffffffffft! Remember 1994? We came out of nowhere to win the the world cup and the champions trophy. I was a little kid but I still remember the final in Lahore, sat right behind the goal. Lughari was welcomed with chants of "LOTA". It was awesome!

The manger/coach is Akhtar Rasool, the same as in the Olympics.

 

[Sashan]

Congrats Pakistan. India in Semis too beating Belgium 1-0.

 

[W.11]

How the Pakistani team so good all the sudden?

They were decent in Olympics but they are on fire here?

Who is the coach?

maybe its the change of captaincy?

Pakistan’s win was due largely to Shakeel Abbasi, who dominated and scored both of his team’s goals.

this guy is very talented, but sad to see such talent wasted ina team like pakistan

one more amazing fact is, he is from balochistan

 

[Kambojaric]

This made my day, great show team Pakistan

___________

Pakistan earned a spot in the 2012 Champions Trophy semi-finals after stunning defending Olympic Champion and World #1 Germany in a 2-1 decision in today’s quarterfinal. Is it the first time since 2004 that Pakistan finds itself in the hunt for a medal at the Champions Trophy. On the other side of the coin, this is the second consecutive time that Germany has missed the semi-finals at the annual event.

Shakeel Abbasi was the man of the hour for Pakistan. He fired in both Pakistan goals in the surprising win.

Pakistan was simply the better team in today’s game, generating more scoring chances and chipping away at the tough German defense, which found itself on duty for much of the 70 minutes. The Germans managed just one shot in the first half, but they made it count as veteran Moritz Fuerste, one of only three players from the 2012 golden Olympic team in Melbourne, gave the Germanys a 1-0 lead nine minutes into action.

Pakistan was not put off by the goal and maintained its pressure on the German net. Admittedly not all of the scoring chances were impressive, but it put Pakistan in a better position to get the odd penalty corner chance.

Pakistan’s persistence finally paid off when Abbasi scored a picture-perfect goal four minutes into the second half on a follow-up play after a penalty corner opportunity to even things up at one. Abbasi struck again with 20 minutes to go on in the half after he put in another second-effort goal after a penalty corner. The key goal went to video review, but it was ruled a valid goal and Pakistan climbed out to its first lead of the game.

The lead endured through an action-packed 20 minutes as Germany found itself two men up in the last two minutes but unable to get the equalizer as Pakistan earned their semi-final spot.

Pakistan will take on the winner of the Netherlands vs. New Zealand match in Saturday’s semi-final.

http://www.fih.ch/en/competitions-165/match-4148-ger-v-pak-quarterfinal-hockey-champions-trophy

 

[A1Kaid]

Congratulations to Pakistan hockey team beating Germany is a decisive victory and a tough one at that.