IPOH, Malaysia: Pakistan suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to arch-rival India on Tuesday when the two sides met in a pool match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2016 in Ipoh City of Malaysia.
Following the defeat, Pakistan has been knocked out of the tournament as it had already beaten twice by New Zealand and Australia in the men’s event while it only managed to secure a triumph against Canada.
Prior to today’s match, the two arch rivals had been face-to-face 13 times in the past since the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament was organized for the first time in 1983. Out of 13 matches, Pakistan won 4 matches and faced defeat in 8 games while one match ended in draw.
Pakistan won its first match of the event against Canada by 3-1 but then lost to New Zealand ,Australia and India by 5-3, 4-0 and 5-1 respectively.
In another match played today at Ipoh, Australia defeated New Zealand by 1-0.
With 12 points Australia leads the points able of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2016 followed by India which has 9 points.
The seven-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup began being played annually since 1998. So far, Australia has been the most successful team with 8 titles followed by India with 5. Pakistan won the tournament three times in 1998, 2000 and 2003. However, six times Pakistan reached the final of the Cup but could not get the result in its favour.
Pakistan will play its next two matches against Malaysia and Japan on April 13 and 14. The final of the tournament will be played on April 16.
