Akhbar saves the day as Pakistan beat Holland 3-2 in Azlan Shah

Kuala Lumpur, June 19 (UNI) Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akhbar brought off some remarkable saves to enable the former World champions beat European powerhouse Holland 3-2 in their opening match at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament here today.

Pakistan had taken a 3-1 lead at the break through Rehan Butt (fifth), Imran Warsi (19th) and Shakeel Abbasi (24th) getting the goals.

For the Dutch, the scorers were Floris Evers (14th) and Roderick Weustoph (69th).

Though Pakistan scored in the fifth minute when Shabbir set up Rehan Butt with a wonderful pass, the Dutch attacked and earned three penalty corners which Salman Akhbar saved.

After the Dutch had equalised in the 14th minute, it did seem that the momentum might swing Holland's way but Imran Warsi flicked in a perfect penalty corner in the 19th minute to give Pakistan a 2-1 lead.

A wonderful bout of passing between Waqas Sharif and Shakeel Abassi saw the former Pakistan junior captain Abassi hammer in the third goal.

Though Holland had a fourth penalty corner just before the break, they couldn't cut the deficit.

Five minutes into the second half, Holland wasted their fifth penalty corner while the field attempts were being kept out by Salman Akhbar but with only a minute to go in the match, Roderick scored for Holland. However, Pakistan had duly wrapped up the match by then and moved a step closer to a semi-final position from Pool B.

Holland's coach Roelant Oltmans said he was quite satisfied with his team's performance.

''I am not too unhappy as this is the first tournament we are playing after the Champions Trophy in Chennai. The boys are still getting into the groove,'' he said.

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