Hockey: Pakistan blank Oman in tri-series opener

Pakistan handed hosts Oman a 3-0 defeat in the opening match of Oman Triangular Series hockey tournament at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Wednesday.

The Oman Hockey Association (OHA) is organising the three-team invitational tournament to help the Sultanate’s squad in their preparations for the forthcoming Asian Games Hockey Qualifier. Japan are the third team taking part in the tri-series.
 

Oman team, who are being coached by Pakistan’s Tahir Zaman, gave a good account of themselves in the inaugural match of the tournament.

However, the hosts could not stop the experienced Pakistanis from taking the lead in the 13th minute when Ali Shan scored a field goal.

Azaz Ahmad doubled the lead for the visitors with another field goal in the 21st minute.

In the 45th minute, Shafqat Rasool made it 3-0 with another field goal.

In the second match of the tournament, Pakistan will take on Japan on Thursday.

The teams will play each other twice, after which the top two teams will qualify for the final to be played on February 20.