England head coach Jason Lee declared that the series of internationals that England are currently playing are to get his players used to playing international hockey again. From that perspective it was a classical case of a game of two halves. Playing in the second of a series of internationals against Pakistan at Cannock, his side played well enough but Pakistan were always a shade bit quicker to pounce on an opportunity. That, plus some good saves from Salman Akbar in the Parkistan net, meant that England went into the break 2-0 down, thanks to goals from Muhammad Waqas and Muhammad Imran.
A terrible mistake 16 minutes into the second half gave Pakistan a breakaway, on which they were quick to capitalise and, despite James Fair's efforts to close down play, Abdul Haseem Khan received a cross which he gratefully put into the England net.
Despite the third goal, it was becoming apparent that England were starting to play with more intensity and their reward came in the 54th minute when James Tindall slammed the ball into the back of the Pakistan net. Four minutes later Matt Daly scored a second from a penalty corner.
The score remained at 3-2 until the end and Pakistan win the series with one more match to play. England and Pakistan meet again tomorrow night at 19:00, again at Cannock.
