Pakistan beat Japan for Bronze, Olympic berth

Doha, Dec 14 (UNI) Striker Muhammad Waqas scored a brace as Pakistan defeated Japan 4-2 and win the Asian Games hockey Bronze medal and a place in the 2008 Beijing Olympics here today.

The result is a face-saver for the green shirts after their ouster from the Gold medal run by underdogs China in the semi-finals.

This evening, Pakistan played a vastly improved and determined game to defend the Bronze. There success, however, was dependent on Waqas who hammered in two second half goals to ensure his team's win.

Though the accomplishment is not that rewarding for Gold medal favorites Pakistan, yet they managed to avoid the humiliation for not qualifying for the Olympics.

But it was Japan which gave them a big scare by taking lead through a superb mid field move with captain Kazuyuki Ozawa finding the net from the mid for circle with a carpet hit in the ninth minute.

Three minutes later Pakistan struck the equaliser by converting their second short corner, out of three of the play, through Adnan Maqsood in a indirect conversion drill.

Playing a sensible hockey, aided by both flanks, Pakistan faced resistance from Japan who were desperate in making the best out of the opportunity for a possible qualification for the Olympics.

It was ever striking forward Shakeel Abbasi who helped Pakistan in restoring edge at 2-1 with a delightful field goal, three minutes before the close of the first half.

With both teams on high alert the second half was fought very closely with Waqas emerging hero with successive field goals, first with a reserve flick in a goal mouth in the 41st minute and second in the 53rd minute with another spectacular effort close to the mouth of the post.

Japan, who missed their all three short corners, narrowed the lead in the 57th minute through Takahiro Yamabori's field goal as referee controlled the game in the last minute by giving marching orders to Abbasi and Takahiro.

''It is a consolation for us to get the Bronze and a place in Olympics,'' said team manager and coach, Shahnaz Sheikh.

''Today we played better game of hockey and it is good to win against Japan who were quite tough rival in the game due to their determination and coordination,'' he added.

Rehan Butt said the victory brought back confidence in Pakistan team who had avoided the humiliation for not qualifying for the Olympics.

''If not a gold, at least a Bronze is good to regain lost confidence,'' he said.

UNI HSB DH KN2035