Pakistan beat South Korea to notch-up 2nd win in Asian Games squash
INCHEON: Pakistan notched-up their second win in THE squash competition of the 17th Asian Games when they beat South Korean 3-0 in their second round match at Yeorumul Squash courts here on Wednesday.
Though Pakistan won the match. But two host Korean players put up a gritty fighting show, snatched a game before going down in thrilling finish.
Pakistan coach Jamshed Gul however rested their top player Nasir Iqbal ranked 42 in Professional Squash Association ranking.
Farhan Zaman dropped the third game lasting 38-minute before chalking out a 11-5, 11-7, 9-11 and 11-8 victory.
Experienced Farhan demonstrated brilliant court-craft and powerful nicks and drops, won the first game against Lee Seungjoon without any trouble. Though the Korean player secured seven points in the second. But Farhan remained in control.
However, Lee showed great fight by grabbing the third game 11-9 to reduce the margin 1-2.
Farhan however made a quick recovery and playing some forceful winners at the front as well as back of the court seized the match by winning the fourth game 11-8.
Hwang gave Danish Atlas Khan a real fight before going down fighting 3-1 in the match lasting 74 minutes.
Having no international ranking, Hwang created a scare and stunned Danish by pocketing the first game 10-12. But displaying fighting qualities, Danish came back strongly to grab the second and third game to turn his deficit into 2-1 advantage.
The Korean player was not finished as yet as he offered a great resistance which saw thrilling rallies and strokes for supremacy enjoyed by jampack hall.
A couple of times Hwang took the lead. But Danish came back to win a thrilling extended final game to register a 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 15-13 victory.
In the third match, Farhan Mehboob outplayed Yo Yaejin 11-0, 13-11, 11-5. After almost conceding the opening game, Korean fought hard in the second game before losing.
Pakistan will take on Kuwait in their next league match on Thursday.
In the ladies event, China beat Pakistan 2-1. Maria Toor had given Pakistan lead by winning her opening match against Li Dong 11-8, 11-9, 11-3. But Muqqadus Ashraf and Sara Anjum lost their next two matches.