Pakistan end CT campaign on a high
7-8 Classification: Pakistan 5-4 Korea (Golden Goal)

Asian Champions Pakistan have claimed seventh place by defeating Korea 5-4 at the Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy thanks to a Golden Goal from Muhammad Rizwan Senior. It was Pakistan’s second win against Korea at the tournament, having beaten their Asian rivals 6-2 earlier in the week. This contest was far less one sided, as Korea matched their opponents for long periods of the game. However, it was Pakistan who ended their tournament on a high when Rizwan fired home in the 5^th minute of extra time to seal victory for his team.

 Both sides were clearly determined to avoid the ignominy of finish last in the competition and went at each other in determined fashion throughout the first half. Defensive thinking was clearly abandoned as both sides went for the jugular in an effort to leave the tournament with their pride intact. Korea drew first blood in the 5^th minute when ace strike Jong Ho Seo angled a deflection past Pakistan keeper Imran Shah before the Green Shirts hit back a minute later thanks to Muhammad Rizwan Seniors first goal of the match.

Korea moved back in front in the 21^st minute when an unmarked Kyu Yeob Jang slapped a half volley into the goal only for parity to be restored six minutes later thanks to a typically powerful penalty corner flick by Pakistan captain Muhammad Imran.

Muhammad Tousiq gave Pakistan a 3-2 lead on the stroke of half time before the Green Shirts opened up a  4-2 advantage when Abdul Haseem Khan tapped in following a fine run and pass from Shakeel Abbasi.  It seemed that Pakistan were going to run away with it, but Korea have never been known for throwing the towel in and tied the scores with a double from Hyo Sik You to force extra time.

Pakistan’s winner came five minutes into the first period of extra time when the ever lively Abbasi caused chaos with another superb driving run which was eventually finished off by Rizwan. It was a disappointing end for Korea, but Pakistan will be pleased to leave Auckland on a winning note. 

Pakistan – Korea 5-4 g.g. - Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy Men 2011
> Muhammad Rizwan scored twice today, including the golden goal, to give Pakistan 7th place. 
> Pakistan have now finished 7th in all 3 CT tournaments featuring 8 teams (1987, 2007 and 2011). 
> Korea finish last for the 4th time in CT history following 1997, 2001 and 2002.
> In 2007 Pakistan also won the Final 7-8 through a golden goal. They beat Malaysia 3-2 golden goal scored by Muhammad Imran.
> Pakistan are now unbeaten in their last 6 CT encounters with Korea (4 wins, 2 draws).
> Abdul Haseem Khan scored his 3rd goal of the tournament. All 3 goals were scored in matches against Korea.
> Muhammad Imran scored his 4th goal of the tournament to become Pakistan’s top scorer at Auckland 2011. Imran scored 3 of his 4 goals at Auckland 2011 against Korea.
> You Hyo-Sik became the first player to score two goals in a match for Korea at Auckland 2011.
> You Hyo-Sik also ended up as Korea’s top scorer of the tournament on 4 goals.
> Pakistan finish the tournament on 6 PC goals from 15 penalty corners awarded, a success rate of 40%.
> Korea have only scored 1 of 18 penalty corners tis tournament (6%).> Korea have conceded most goals at Auckland 2011 (26).

Pakistan – Korea (11Dec 2011, 10:35) - Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy Men 2011

Head-to-heads

> Pakistan have won 4 of 8 Champions Trophy matches against Korea (4W – 2D – 2D).
> Pakistan are unbeaten in their last 5 CT encounters with Korea (3 wins, 2 draws) since losing 4-3 in 1998.
> Pakistan’s biggest CT win over Korea came in the 1997 Final 5-6 (6-2) and earlier this tournament in Pool D when Pakistan trashed Korea 6-2.
> Korea’s biggest CT win over Pakistan was their first encounter in 1997 (3-1).
> In May 2011, Pakistan beat Korea 4-2 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after coming back from 1-0 and 2-1 down.
> At the 2010 Asian Games in Guangahou (China), Pakistan beat Korea 1-1 (4-3 ps) in the semifinal and went on to win the championship and a ticket to the London Olympics. 

Pakistan Facts

> Auckland 2011 is the third CT tournament with 8 teams participating following Amstelveen 1987 and Kuala Lumpur 2007. On both previous occasions Pakistan finished 7th.
> The only previous Final 7-8 played in CT competition came at Kuala Lumpur 2007 and saw Pakistan defeat Malaysia 3-2 to finish 7th.
> Muhammad Imran scored twice in that match, including the golden goal from a penalty corner in extra time (73’).
> The only time Pakistan finished last in a CT tournament was at Brisbane 1999 (6th).
> Pakistan have the highest PC success rate at Auckland 2011 (35%) having scored 5 from 14 penalty corners.
> Pakistan are the only team to have scored more PC goals (5) than field goals (4).
> Pakistan have conceded the most PC goals. They conceded 8 PC goals from 26 penalty corners awarded to their opponents.
> Captain Muhammad Imran is Pakistan’s top scorer at Auckland 2011 on 3 goals all from penalty corners. Abdul Haseem Khan scored twice so far (2FG).
> At age 16, Muhammad Tauseeq is the youngest player and goalscorer at Auckland 2011.
> At age 36, injured Sohail Abbas is the oldest player and goalscorer at Auckland 2011. 

Korea Facts

> Korea’s lowest CT rank before Auckland 2011 was sixth (and last) in 1997, 2001 and 2002.
> Korea have scored fewest PC goals at Auckland 2011. 1 from 15 gives them a 6% success rate.
> Korea faced only 15 penalty corners. However they conceded 5 PC goals.
> Korea’s Jang Jong-Hyun has scored 13 goals in his 18 CT matches, but is yet to score this tournament. Only Song Seung-Tae (17) and Yeo Woon-Kon (14) have scored more CT goals for Korea.
> Nam Hyun-Woo and Seo Jong-Ho are Korea’s top scorer on 2 goals.
> Kim Young-Jin is the only player to have seen two (green) cards at Auckland 2011.
> With almost 200 caps under his belt You Hyo-Sik is the most experienced player on the Korean team.
> You Hyo-Sik and Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar are team mates at Dutch side Laren.