SAS Cup Final: Pakistan-Australia showdown today

by **Admin** Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:26 am

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IPOH: Asian champion Pakistan earned the right to play world champion Australia in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup field hockey final after beating host Malaysia 3-2 in their last preliminary round match.

The team was helped by the fact that Great Britain, which had been in the running for a finals berth, lost 3-1 to South Korea in an earlier match.

Australia, which had already booked its final berth ahead of today's match, defeated Antipodean neighbour New Zealand 4-2 to keep its date with Pakistan.

Australia topped the standings with 16 points ahead of Pakistan (12) and Britain nine, with New Zealand, India and South Korea all on seven points apiece.

The Kiwis needed to avoid a four-goal margin defeat at the hands of Australia in order play Britain for third place, something it ensured in going down by two.

Australia's goals came from Brent Dancer, two strikes by Glenn Turner and another by Christopher Ciriello.

New Zealand halved the margin through Steven Edwards to confirm their meeting with Britain, while India and South Korea will vie for fifth placing.