JAKARTA: An unfortunate 3-2 misfortune to Japan was exacerbated in any event, for Pakistan when India put 16 objectives past Indonesia on Thursday to not just put the chief opponents out of the Super 4s phase at the Asia Cup yet additionally squash their expectations of coming to the following year’s World Cup.
Pakistan went into their last Group ‘A’ match here at the GBK Sports Arena realizing that a draw would take them through to the last-four phase close by Japan no matter what India’s outcome in their match against Indonesia. That would’ve saved them in conflict for a spot in the World Cup with the main three groups at the competition fitting the bill for the competition in India.
They nearly got a sensational draw however commander Umar Bhutta’s objective in the last quarter, with Japan driving 3-2 at that stage, was chalked off after a video reference. In the second from last quarter, one more exertion by Junaid Manzoor was prohibited. Be that as it may, it was a courageous exertion regardless by Pakistan, who returned from 2-0 down to make it 2-1 and pulled one more objective back after Japan had driven 3-1.
“The young men truly gave their entire being,” Umar said after the match. “We truly needed to come to the semi-finals however the two objectives that were refused truly harmed our possibilities and we likewise wound up getting many cards that didn’t help our possibilities.”
Pakistan, however, were still in the blend for the semis at that point with India expecting to win by 15 objectives against Indonesia to pip Umar’s men to second detect in the pool on objective contrast behind the ideal Japanese. The Indians went better, whipping the hapless hosts 16-0 to add salt to Pakistan’s new injuries.
The reigning champs rode on magnificent show from Dipsan Tirkey, who pounded five objectives, and Sudev Belimagga, who sounded the board threefold. Veteran SV Sunil, Pawan Rajbhar and Karthi Selvam scored a support each while Uttam Singh and Nilam Sanjeep Xess scored an objective each.
Joining Japan and India in the semi-finals were Malaysia and South Korea, who cutting-edge unbeaten from Pool ‘B’ on Thursday. Malaysia pounded Bangladesh 8-1 to complete top of the table while the Koreans crushed Oman 5-1.
It was the Pakistan-Japan conflict, however, which took front and center attention on the last day of the gathering stage.
Japan made a positive beginning with two consecutive objectives in the fourteenth and fifteenth moment through Ryoma Ooka and Ikumi Saeki however Pakistan shook off the early nerves to score in the 23rd moment through Ijaz Ahmed’s glimmering field objective.
Takuma Niwa reestablished Japan’s two-objective benefit after a punishment corner transformation in the 27th yet Mubashar Ali hit back again with a drag-flick three minutes after the fact.
With Pakistan pushing for the leveler, they began searching for striking space in the circle after half-time. One such strike by Junaid tracked down the enclosure in the 40th yet that objective was denied as Pakistan had 12 players on the pitch and saw Umar getting a yellow card that saw the captain pass on the following 10 minutes.
Umar, in any case, came on and found the rear of the net just for it to be precluded on a specialized four after Japan took a video reference. Pakistan were sad and afterward India added to their wretchedness.
