Pak go down fighting to Holland in a thriller in Hamburg tournament

Hamburg, Aug 26 (UNI) Sohail Abbas scored three goals as Pakistan put up a brave display before going down 4-6 to Champions Trophy winners Holland in their second league match of the four-nation Hamburg Masters hockey tournament here today.

Pakistan, who had surprised World Champions Germany 2-1 in the opener last evening, played an attacking game but could not prevent the mauruding Dutch from winning the thrilling tie.

In a fast paced match which saw Pakistan sheding any signs of recent slump of form, both the teams played an open game exchanging the ball from end to end.

The winners led 2-1 at the breather.

The Dutch established their domination in the first 15 minutes and scored two goals in the space of two minutes through Rob Reckers in the 16th and 17th minutes.

Pakistan reduced the margin in the 28th through a penalty corner by Sohail Abbas -- their second penalty corner. They pressed hard for parity but failed to score from a penalty corner in the dying minutes of first half.

The second half began with Pakistan making forays in the rival defence but a penalty corner hit the Duith goal post.

The match swung again in Dutch favour and they increased the margin in the 47th minute through Rogier Hofman (3-1).

Pakistan reduced it in the 52nd minute (2-3) through a penalty by Butt. But, Jeroen Delmee made it 4-2 for the Dutch in 56th minute converting a penalty corner.

Sohail Abbas then raised Pakistan's hopes by converting their sixth penalty corner to make it 3-4.

However, the indomitable Dutchmen were not intent to squander the lead and made it 5-3 in 63rd minute through a fantastic counter attack goal by Matthijs Brouwer and five minutes later Hofman struck to take the tally to 6-3.

Pakistan did not give up and scored through their seventh penalty corner in 69th minute theoough Abbas again to make it 6-4.

Pakistan got their eight penalty corner in the dying seconds but it was wasted.

Last evening Pakistan handed a surprise 2-1 defeat to Germany, while Holland beat Spain 5-1 in their first match.

Four of the world's best five teams are playing in the round robin tournament in the build up to the World Cup Hockey Championship which will be held at Monchengladbach, Germany, from September 6 to 17.

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