Salman Akbar takes Pakistan into Final

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Pakistan managed to beat South Korea in a thrilling encounter thanks to goal keeper Salman Akbar’s brilliant saves in the plenty shootouts. The match was played on a knife edge with both teams battling for supremacy. After 70 minutes of regulation play the score line was still level at 1-1 and the game moved into extra time which still couldn’t bring about a result. Waqas Muhammad gave Pakistan their first goal when he managed to find the back of the net in the 22^nd minute of the game. At half time Pakistan still had their slim lead intact against the Koreans until Kang Moon Kyu scored four minutes into the second half to level the game. Tension was high in both the camps as plenty shoot outs failed to bring about a result with a 3-3 tie. There was even more drama as the game moved into sudden death, Sohail Abbas and Jang Jong both failed to score for their teams. Haseem Khan put Pakistan ahead and the score like read 4-3, it was then left to Pakistan’s veteran goal keeper Salman Akbar to clinch the victory for Pakistan and that he did. Akbar saved the push by Jang Jong – Ho to win this all important semi final for Pakistan. It was an exhilarating game of hockey and Pakistan team stepped up its game when it was most needed. Pakistan hasn’t won a major hockey title since their world cup triumph in 1994 and their last Asian Games medal came in 1990. Pakistan will know who they will be facing in the finals after the second semi final to be played between India and Malaysia. We in all likelihood may be heading towards an India-Pakistan final for the Asian gold medal. For now Salman Akbar must cherish his fine performance in what was the most fascinating game of hockey.