*IPOH:* Pakistan continued their stellar performance at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, securing their second consecutive victory by defeating South Korea in a commanding 4-0 win on Sunday.
Following their narrow 5-4 victory against Malaysia in the opening match, Pakistan displayed their dominance once again with four different scorers finding the net against Korea, including Sufyan Khan, who had secured a hat-trick in the previous game.
The scoring spree began early in the third minute when Abdul Hanan Shahid embarked on a dazzling solo effort, maneuvering past six opposition players before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Kim Jaehyeon. Reflecting on his goal, Hanan emphasized the collective effort of the team, stating, “The goal that I scored was a team effort.”
Pakistan extended their lead with two quick goals in the second quarter. Arshad Liaqat and Ghazanfar Ali capitalized on opportunities to secure a comfortable advantage for Roelant Oltmans’ squad.
Despite efforts from the Korean side to stage a comeback in the second half, Sufyan Khan’s drag-flick conversion extinguished any hopes of a turnaround for the opponents.
With this triumph, Pakistan claimed the top spot on the table with six points, edging past Japan on goal difference. The stage is now set for a thrilling encounter between the two leaders on Tuesday.
In a parallel match, Japan secured a 4-1 victory against New Zealand, maintaining their strong start to the tournament. Despite a goal from Scott Cosslett for New Zealand, Japan’s cohesive performance propelled them to another win.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s victory, coach Oltmans praised the resilience of his players, highlighting Salman Razzaq’s determination to overcome injury and contribute to the team’s success. Oltmans emphasized the team’s collective effort and strategic planning, which played a crucial role in their improved performance against Korea.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s head coach, Min Tae-seok, expressed disappointment over his team’s inability to match Pakistan’s pace and mount a comeback after conceding early goals. Acknowledging the opponent’s superiority, Tae-seok highlighted the need for his team to regroup and bounce back stronger in the upcoming matches.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are now on the intense showdown between Pakistan and Japan, promising another thrilling spectacle in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
