Canada bests Pakistan on Golden Goal
March 11, 2010
Official FIH match report by Yan Huckendubler
Game 31 – 11th-12th – Canada v. Pakistan: 3-2 aet (half-time: 1-1 – full time: 2-2)
The first game of the day started earlier than usual in the afternoon and the heat initially affected the rhythm of play. Pakistan went up first on the scoreboard by Rehan BUTT deflecting an innocuous shot by Shakeel ABBASI from the edge of the circle past Dave CARTER, screened on the play. A period of Canadian domination followed; they were first unlucky when Gabbar SINGH saw his shot hit a post but were finally rewarded in the 12th minute when Connor GRIMES deflected in goal a hard free hit from Rob SHORT.
Canada were playing with heart while the Pakistani players seemed dejected and committed many unforced errors, with only Shakeel ABBASI trying to build plays and shake the troops. Canada had a penalty-corner but Wayne FERNANDES’ flick was deflected wide by Salman AKBAR in goal for Pakistan. Play settled in midfield for the remainder of the half, with few circle penetrations at either end. Canada had two more penalty-corners late in the period but could not control them and half-time was reached on a tied score (1-1).
Second period started with two penalty-corners for Pakistan but Canada defended well in front of Sohail ABBAS, very discreet in this competition with only 2 goals. Pakistan nevertheless took back the lead in the 46th minute by Akhtar ALI, left unmarked in front of the Canadian keeper with time to bat in goal a cross by Muhammad ZUBAIR deflected high by a defender. After a period of Canadian pressure, Pakistan missed another penalty-corner and Dave CARTER made two excellent saves in quick succession to keep his team in the game.
Canada tied the game for the second time in the 58th minute by Mark PEARSON, deflecting acrobatically in goal a cross from the right lifted by a defender. With ten minutes to go and neither team controlling play, it was everybody’s game. Canada had a chance on penalty-corner (their forth of the game); they tried an option but it fizzled. Pakistan were reduced to ten players after a yellow card to Akhtar ALI but nevertheless forced a penalty-corner in the dying seconds of the period; Sohail ABBAS missed and the match had to go into extra-time, with golden goal in effect.
Gabbar SINGH forced a penalty-corner in the first period of overtime after running the whole length of the field eluding Pakistani defenders but the shots was deflected wide. Both teams had thrown caution to the wind and play was shifting quickly from one end to the other. A quick Canadian counter-attack by Gabbar SINGH again and Mark PEARSON earned another penalty-corner and this time Scott TUPPER hit it directly out of reach of the keeper to end the suspense and leave Pakistan, 4 times winner of the World Cup, dejected with the wooden spoon of the competition for the time.
Match Facts (Canada v. Pakistan):
> Canada beat Pakistan 3-2 in extra time through a Scott Tupper golden goal.
> This marks Canada’s first win at Delhi 2010, after losing all their 5 pool matches.
> This is the first time Pakistan finish last in a World Cup tournament.
> Canada has now won all three of their WC Final 11-12 matches. They also finished 11th in 1978 and 1990.
> Canada were awarded 6 PCs in this match. This exceeds the combined total of 5 PCs they were awarded in their five pool matches at Delhi 2010.
> Conner Grimes became the 5th Canadian goal scorer this tournament.
> Philip Wright did not score in this match, but did become Canada’s top goal scorer at Delhi 2010 (3 goals).
> Rehan Butt (PAK) scored the opening goal to lift his Delhi 2010 total to 3 goals. This makes him Pakistan’s top goal scorer at Delhi 2010.
> Akhtar Ali became the 7th player to score for Pakistan at the Delhi World Cup.
Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 (men) – Delhi, India
Results Day 11 – Thursday 11 March 2010
11th-12th – Canada v. Pakistan 3:2 aet (1:1, 2:2)
PAK 4mn Rehan BUTT (FG) 0:1
CAN 12mn Connor GRIMES (FG) 1:1
PAK 46mn Akhtar ALI (FG) 1:2
CAN 58mn Mark PEARSON (FG) 2:2
CAN 83mn Scott TUPPER (FG) 3:2 golden goal
For additional information, pictures, video clips, official game sheets, and more, please check the special FIH event site @ http://www.worldhockey.org/worldcup/.
