SALTA, Argentina The final of the BDO Champions Challenge in Salta, Argentina, as predicted, turned out to be a high-octane encounter. The match pitted the individual flare of Pakistan against the tight, tactical game of the New Zealand which eventually won the Kiwis the trophy 4-2.
Anyone following the India-Pakistan semi-final on Saturday would have noticed how both teams attacked throughout the game leaving their defence split and wide-open. The Black Sticks definitely caught on to it as they scored most of their goals on the counter attack, in some instances having to contend with on two Pakistan players in their D.
Pakistan got on the scoring sheet first with a penalty corner earned in the seventh minute. Sohail Abbas scored it in his trademark style although New Zealand goalie Kyle Pontifex managed to get a hand on it. New Zealands reply was swift and smooth and also came by means of a penalty corner. Ryan Archibald scored it with a skilful deflection. Abbas and the Pakistani team would benefit from practicing similar drills in their training, as they missed the next five penalty corners that they earned in the game.
New Zealand took the lead in the 20th minute with a full-length dive by captain Phillip Burrows to guide the ball in just as it seemed to have passed him. The Pakistan launched spirited attacks then onwards but somehow failed to penetrate the compact defensive line put up by the Black Sticks.
But just as it seemed the Kiwis would go in for the break with the lead, Pakistans 29-year-old maestro, Rehan But, pulled off a stunner. It left the opposition and the South American crowd awestruck for it definitely had shades of Samba about it. Running with the ball into the D, up against two fullbacks and the goalkeeper, he turned at the last moment shielding the ball while gently dribbling it. With his back to the goal post and standing perhaps only 7-8 feet away he gently flicked the ball between his legs, ala Roger Federer on the return, and managed to penetrate the slight gap left between the sturdy legs of the goalkeeper.
That little bit of magic gave Pakistan the much needed confidence going into half time and their fans something to cheer about.
Unfortunately for the supporters of the Green Shirts they did not have much to cheer about when they came out in the second half as it was the Kiwis all the way.
They displayed how maintaining a strong defensive line and quick passing and control of the ball can eventually lead to breaks. The game also highlighted the importance of finishing when chances are hard to come by. Pakistan missed out on as many as three penalty corners in the second half but when New Zealand got an opportunity they made sure they made it count.
It came first through Steven Edwards on the break in the 65th minute and then Burrows in the 66th. It sealed the match for them as the Pakistanis looked deflated and without any answers.
Team work and perseverance paid off for the Kiwis who in the process also qualified for the 2010 Champions Trophy.
New Zealand - Pakistan 42
PAK 7mn Sohail ABBAS (PC) 01
NZL 15mn Ryan ARCHIBALD (PC) 11
NZL 20mn Phillip BURROWS (FG) 12
PAK 35mn Rehan BUTT (FG) 22
NZL 65mn Steven EDWARDS (FG) 32
NZL 66mn Phillip BURROWS (FG) 42
Final Standings 1) New Zealand (qualify for the 2010 Champions Trophy) 2) Pakistan 3) India 4) Argentina 5) South Africa 6) China 7) Belgium 8) Canada
Individual Awards
Player of the Tournament Sardar SINGH (India)
Goal-keeper of the Tournament Kyle PONTIFEX (New Zealand)
Top goal scorer Pedro IBARRA (Argentina), 8 goals
Fair Play Argentina
