England put in a much improved performance against Pakistan in their final game of the three match series in Cannock this evening. What should have been a thrilling spectacle was spoilt by several long stoppages for injuries or whilst the umpires sorted out discipline problems. Someone in the crowd behind me shouted out, "Let's have a couple of minutes' hockey," a sentiment that was no doubt shared by many. The 'discipline' problem included yellow cards for Martin Jones, Shafqat Rasool, Waseem Ahmed and Abdul Haseem Kahn.
England made an early mark on the match when Ian Mackay found the net shortly after coming on for the first time. Having taken the lead, England absorbed a great deal of pressure for the remainder of the half but managed to maintain the 1-0 margin into the second period. Syed Abbas Haider equalised for Pakistan nine minutes into the half, but after that England were in the ascendency. What they could not achieve was a winning goal and the match was played out to a 1-1 finish.
England manager Peter Nicholson declared himself satisfied with his side's performance over the three matches. England have the European Nations in Amsterdam to look forward to in August and this match and the upcoming matches against the Netherlands and India will prove good preparation.
