Germany takes Azlan Shah Trophy

KUALA LUMPUR, AUG. 12. An amazing last minute goal by Christoph Eimer, off a penalty corner deflection, helped Germany beat Korea 3-2 and clinch its second Sultan Azlan Shah tournament title here today. With less than a minute to go, Germany earned its sixth penalty corner and instead of going for a direct flick sent the ball to the right corner where Eimer deflected it into the Korean goal.

Korea took the attack to Germany to seize the initiative but it was German planning in the second half, combined with its tenacity, that gave it the title.

Earlier in the day, India finished fifth when it defeated England 2-0, while Australia beat Pakistan 4-3 to take the bronze medal.

South Korea began superbly, pushing the German defence back with some amazing runs down the middle. The breaks were so fast that the Germans did not have any option but to pull back four men into defence only to see Korea still tear through.

The lead came in the 9th minute off a beautiful move when Seo Jong Ho ran through the circle and passed it to Seung Song Tae who flicked it as the goalkeeper looked helplessly.

The Germans finally got the equaliser in the 30th minute when Philip Crone shot into the circle off a free hit and tobias, in full stretch, deflected the ball in.

Refusing to fall back, Koreans stepped up the attack to earn a penalty corner in the very next minute.

It was their first penalty corner and gave them the lead again. Kim Chul shot into the corner of the post where Kyung Seok Kim almost sat on the turf and deflected it with an angled stick into the goal. At the break, Korea led 2-1.

Coming back, Germans forced the Koreans in to the defensive and scored the equaliser. In the 53rd minute, off their fourth penalty corner, Florian Kunz sent the ball flying to the left corner of the goal.

With the match appearing to be heading for extra-time, Germany got the match-winner with a classy variation as Eimer netted the all-important goal to give Germany the title. Australia claims third place

Australia defeated Pakistan 4-3 to take third place.

Troy Elder gave the men from down under the lead when he slammed in the ball in the eight minute after a pass from Jamie Dwyer.

Five minutes later, Ben Taylor doubled their lead with a goal from a penalty corner. Pakistan reduced the deficit in the 16th minute when Muhammad Khalid pounced on a loose ball inside the scoring zone.

Gavin Davis restored Australia's two-goal advantage from another field goal with virtually the last shot of the half.

The Australians took things easy in the second half with Pakistan doing most of the attacking. However, as has often happened with the Pakistanis, all their fine approach play came to nothing as their final ball into the danger zone left much to be desired. In a rare break in the 49th minute, Australia showed Pakistan how a goal should be scored when Dwyer, collecting a pass from Michael McCann, coolly rounded Ahmed Alam to slot the ball home.

A minute later, Pakistan earned a penalty corner and Sohail Abbas sent in a low flick to reduce the deficit to 4-2. It was Sohail Abbas' 10th goal of the tournament and he is now the leading scorer.

Pakistan had the final say of the match when Muhammad Khalid scored again six minutes from time, but it was too late.

India finishes fifth

Shrugging off its defeat to South Korea in its last league match, India put up a good showing to beat England 2-0 and finish fifth here this morning.

In the 21st minute, Mukesh went in with Tejbir Singh and after a bout of passing in the circle, Tejbir shot from the right of the circle beating Simon Mason with an angled shot to give India the lead.

With five minutes left in the first half, India earned its first penalty corner and Dilip Tirkey's direct shot beat Mason in goal to make it 2-0.

Final placings: 1. Germany; 2. South Korea; 3. Australia; 4. Pakistan; 5. India; 6. England; 7. Malaysia.

- PTI/AFP

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : 'ATC to be held as scheduled'
Next     : Leander-Bhupathi duo in final