Pakistan secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Olympic qualifiers after a 3-3 draw with Malaysia in a nail-biting pool match Thursday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Pakistan edged out Malaysia on the basis of a better goal average, as both teams finished with four points each in Pool B.
Pakistan took the lead in the 12th minute through Sufyan, who scored from a penalty corner. Malaysia equalized in the 19th minute when Sari Fitri converted a penalty stroke. The first half ended with the score level at 1-1.
The second half saw a flurry of goals, as both teams fought hard to gain an advantage. Pakistan regained the lead in the 38th minute, when Imad Butt scored from a field goal. Malaysia responded quickly, as Abu Kamal scored from a penalty corner in the 40th minute. The match was evenly poised at 2-2, with both teams looking for the winner.
The decisive moment came in the 54th minute, when Rana Waheed scored a stunning goal from a reverse stick shot to put Pakistan ahead. Pakistan looked set to clinch the victory, but Malaysia had other plans. In the dying seconds of the match, Farhan Ashari scored from a penalty corner to level the score at 3-3 and set up a tense finish.
Pakistan finished the pool stage with four points to finish second. Great Britain took 9 points to advance to semi-finals while China finished with three points and Malaysia with 1 point.
Pakistan captain Imad Shakeel Butt was declared the man of the match for his excellent game.
Pakistan will now face Germany in the semi-final on January 20 at 9:30 PM Pakistan time While Great Britain will face New Zealand. A victory in semi-final guarantees a place in the Paris Olympics while the losing teams would get another chance in the bronze medal match as winner will advance to the Paris Olympics.