CIRIELLO'S GOLDEN GOAL EARNS AUSSIES SIXTH SULTAN AZLAN SHAH TITLE

IPOH (Malaysia), May 16 (Bernama) -- Christopher Ciriello's golden goal in the 83rd minute of extra time saw World Champion Australia lift the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the sixth time after beating Pakistan 3-2 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium here Sunday night.

Australia, winners of the cup in 1983, 1998, 2004, 2005 and 2007, took the
lead twice in regulation time but on both occasions, the spirited Pakistan side
equalized to force extra time.

Ciriello who was the toast of the Australian side had given his team the
lead in the 11th minute but Pakistan's penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas
equalized in the 30th minute to level the tie at half time.

Australia again moved into the lead from a Glenn Turner goal in the 44th
minute but Rehan Butt revived his team's hopes with a 62nd minute equalizer.

Both teams had their chances to clinch the tie in regulation time but
goalkeepers from both teams pulled off spectacular saves to keep their teams in
the match.

In the third-fourth placing playoff earlier, Great Britain bounced back from
a lethargic start to beat New Zealand 4-2 and finish third in the 20th edition.

Last year's joint champions South Korea and India battled it out for fifth
spot in a repeat of 2010's washed-out final with the Koreans prevailing in a 2-1
victory.

South Korea went ahead through Nam Hyun-Woo in the 11th minute before Jang
Jong-Hyun added a second in the 21st to put the Koreans firmly in charge.

India's Vikram Pillay pulled one back early in the second half but an
anticipated charge never materialized from the one-time hockey giants.