Sports: Hockey: Nepal thrashes Afghanistan 4-0 in Hockey Series Open

Lahore:Nepal overpowered Afghanistan 4-0 to secure third position in the four-nation Haier FIH Hockey Series Open here Friday at the National Hockey Stadium.

The two bottom teams Nepal and Afghanistan played each other in their last match of the single league tournament, which has virtually been a third place play-off as both had lost their previous two matches. Nepal enjoyed a better goal difference, even a draw was enough for them to finish third.

Nepal started off well from the beginning and went ahead within the three minutes.Their dangerous forward Roman Rana scored with a reverse flat push from the top of the circle.

The Nepalese remained the better side for most of the time and scored a goal in all the four quarters. Second and third goals came off penalty corners. Sagar Acharya flicked high into the net each time.

Afghanistan had their best spell in the last quarter when they desperately searched for a goal. Three of their four penalty corners were earned during this period. With Afghan players moving up in number, gaps appeared in the defence and Nepal took benefit by sending long balls into the circle.

One of which resulted in the fourth goal. RajendraKarki, unmarked at the circle, received a good pass. He beat the advancing goal keeper before pushing it in the empty goal.

The second fixture of the day was the friendly match between Pakistan President XI and Kazakhstan. The hosts began in a stormy fashion. The nimble footed forward Zaheer netted twice in the first seven minutes. Three more goals were added in the first quarter. The hosts were 5-0 up after first 15 minutes.

However, in the latter quarters, the President XI could add only three, one in each. There was a lot of missing. The team management gave chance to the reserves as well. Seven goals came via open play with one off a penalty corner.

Kazakhastan managed one in the second quarter when unmarked Aman Yelubayev standing at the top of the circle caressed a long ball on to the board. It was President XI’s third win in as many matches.

In what would be a virtual final, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will meet in the last fixture of the event on Saturday. Both have won their earlier two matches and are equal on points but Uzbekistan has a better goal difference.Before this game, Pakistan President XI will play their last friendly match, against Afghanistan.