Pakistan conquer China to keep winning run

Pakistan extended their winning run in the men’s hockey competition at the Asian Games with a 3-0 victory over China on Thursday, strengthening their position in Pool B. Pakistan scored all three goals in a dominant second quarter at Kawasaki Juko Stadium, with Abu Mahmood, Sufyan Khan and Hannan Shahid finding the net in a nine-minute spell. Mahmood opened the scoring in the 19th minute from a penalty stroke before Sufyan doubled Pakistan’s advantage five minutes later with a penalty corner conversion. Hannan Shahid completed the scoring in the 28th minute as Pakistan took a commanding 3-0 lead into the remainder of the match. The victory was Pakistan’s third in succession at the Games after they opened their campaign with a 9-0 win over Thailand before beating Uzbekistan 5-1. The result gives Pakistan nine points, leaving them level with pool leaders Malaysia. China were unable to respond after Pakistan’s second-quarter burst.