Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Argentina come from behind to draw with Pakistan

Argentina came back from a goal down twice to hold three-time champions Pakistan to a 3-3 draw in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament here last night.

Both the teams now have seven points from two wins and a defeat. But Argentina top the standings on better goal difference.

Pakistan, who defeated Malaysia 3-2 and outplayed New Zealand 6-3, took the lead through Muhammad Zubair in the 10th minute but Pedro Ibarra equalised for Argentina off a penalty corner in the 30th minute.

Pakistan regained the led with Muhammad Saqlain scoring off a penalty corner set piece in the 44th minute.

But Pakistan joy was short lived as Argentina stormed back to score two goals in the space six minutes. The Argentines were awarded a penalty stroke in the 50th minute and D. Ignacio Juan Gilardi made the conversion.

Six minutes later, Argentina took a lead with a penalty corner goal by Ricardo Ignacio. Waqas Akhbar saved the day for Pakistan, scoring the equalising goal in the 63rd minute.

Pakistan could have won the match but for a flick by defender Muhammad Ateeq off the penalty corner that hit the bar in the last minute of the match.

Argentine coach Jose Carlos Retegui said that he was impressed with his players' fighting spirit.

“Our matches have always been very close and it was no different today. We managed to take the lead and had the chance to win the match. We were unlucky not to troop out of the match with full points,” he said.