KARACHI: Pakistan beat Argentina 4-2 in their opening match of the 21st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Pakistan, who had not had any experience playing on the blue turf before, squandered many chances but put up a determined performance to win the match amidst an Argentine fightback.

Shabbir Khan tried to score the opening goal but his shot was saved by Argentina’s goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi after which Pakistan were awarded a penalty corner in the 22nd minute which was not utilized.

Argentina were also awarded a penalty corner in the 29th minute but Pedro Ibarra’s shot was deflected wide.

The first goal of the match was scored by the Greenshirts as Shafqat Rasool put in a cross through to Mohammad Irfan who made the score 1-0 minutes before half-time.

Pakistan’s captain Sohail Abbas doubled the score in the 46th minute when he scored through a penalty corner, making the score 2-0. Argentina were awarded a penalty corner in the 53rd minute and Gonzalo Peillat scored to make the score 2-1.

Argentina fought back from being down 2-0 to equalize in the 53rd minute as Mathias Parades scored. However, the Greenshirts fought back and Haseem Khan put them ahead again in the 6th minute and a few minutes later Mohammad Waqas solidified their lead as he scored the fourth goal, resulting in a 4-2 win for Pakistan.

Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia praised the team’s performance in the opening match.

Zia praised the young players and said they have performed at par with the seniors

“These youngsters will be a useful part of the team in the remaining matches,” he said.

Pakistan next play New Zealand on Sunday, May 27.

AFP adds: A depleted New Zealand thrashed India 5-1 in the second match of the day, while hosts Malaysia were held 1-1 by South Korea in the last match.

Indian coach Michael Nobbs said his side made the Kiwis look good with their below-par performance on the blue pitch, similar to that which will be used at the upcoming Olympics.

Nobbs will be hoping for far better from the fallen giants at London 2012.

“There was no issue with the blue pitch but we did not play well at all,” he said.

“We made them look good. We gave away the ball too easily and also made several errors in our half. It is always difficult when you do not convert your chances when you have them.”

The world seventh-ranked New Zealanders took the lead after just 45 seconds through Simon Child but India went level soon after as Shivendra Singh scored in the sixth minute.

But the Black Sticks reeled off four unanswered goals through Andy Hayward, Nick Wilson, Stephen Jenness and Matt L’huillier to rout the 10th-ranked Indians in the Malaysian city of Ipoh.

New Zealand dominated despite having only 16 players available for the match as Blair Hilton was ruled out with an appendicitis and his replacement Shay Neal was still en route at game time, while Hugo Inglis could not play due to illness.

In the final match of the day, hosts Malaysia held South Korea to a 1-1 draw despite fielding several young players including three who earned their first international caps.

India play South Korea on Friday while New Zealand face Argentina. The other match will see Britain playing their first game, against the hosts.