Sports Bulletin Report
Birmingham (UK):-A thrilling draw between South Africa and Pakistan men’s sides kicked off day 2 of the games, as Wales men put on an impressive display against Canada to round out the morning session. The afternoon session saw Australia and England’s women both register big wins, while the evening session included an Indian women’s win and New Zealand being tested by a dogged Scotland side.
South Africa 2 Pakistan 2 (Pool A men)
Pakistan snatched a late equaliser against South Africa in both sides opening tie of the games. The first quarter started with some early South African pressure, Matthew Guise-Brown having a couple of efforts blocked before striking the post in the 12th minute. After Akmal Hussain was shown a yellow card at the latter end of the half the pressure told as South Africa’s Connor Beauchamp fired home his sides opening goal of the tournament from a penalty corner.
Just 6 minutes into the second quarter the lively Beauchamp was again causing the Pakistan defence problems, seeing an effort saved by Pakistan’s keeper, Abdullah Ishtiaq. Pakistan stood firm before launching an attack of their own, resulting in Rizwan Ali converting from a penalty corner to level up the tie in the 25th minute. Chances followed for both sides but the score remained level heading into half time.
South Africa began the third quarter on the front foot, with Daniel Bell having 2 attempts on goal but to no avail. Pakistan then took the initiative and created their own opportunities, Mubashar Ali and Ajaz Ahmad both having efforts at goal either side of a Nqobile Ntuli green card. A back-and-forth quarter with no goals left the game finely balanced heading into the last period.
The final period of the game followed the pattern of the tie as both sides created openings. Abdul Shahid with the first of the quarter in the early stages for Pakistan, followed by a fresh from suspension counter-punch from Ntuli. Neither men were able to convert though and it was Guise-Brown who found the net to put South Africa 2-1 ahead with not long to go. Pakistan hit back with their own chance, Ali looking to add to his goal earlier in the game but seeing his effort saved. Just as it looked as though South Africa had edged out the encounter Pakistan’s Afraz became the hero, equalising following a penalty corner in the final minute to rescue a point for his side.
Results (July 30, 2022):
South Africa 2 Pakistan 2 (Pool A men)
Umpires: Nick Bennett (GBR) Bruce Bale (GBR) Daniel Barstow (GBR-video)
Canada 1 Wales 5 (Pool B men)
Umpires: David Tomlinson (NZL) Fraser Bell (GBR) Stephen Rogers (AUS-video)
Result’s Women’s Competition
Australia 8 Kenya 0 (Pool B women)
Umpires: Cathy Wright (GBR) Katrina Turner (NZL) Rachel WILLIAMS (GBR-video)
England 12 Ghana 0 (Pool A women)
Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA) Rhiannon Murrie (AUS) Amber Church (NZL–video)
India 3 Wales 1 (Pool A women)
Umpires: Cookie Tan (SGP) Lelia Sacre (CAN) Amber Church (NZL–video)
New Zealand 1 Scotland 0
Umpires: Aleisha Neumann (AUS) Rebecca Woodcock (ENG) Hannah Harrison (ENG-video)
