Australia beat Pakistan to clinch their fourth consecutive win to go on top of Pool B in the World Cup.

By Anshul Baijal

Australia edged Pakistan 2-1 at Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Monday evening to go top of Pool B.

Desmond Abbot struck twice for the Antipodeans after Sohail Abbas had given the Green Shirts the lead in the first half.

It was Australia who got opportunities at the start of the game, but could not capitalise on them and saw Pakistan take the lead in the 24th minute. Sohail Abbas converted the second of two back-to-back penalty corners to make it 1-0 in favour of  the four-time winners.

The Kookaburras should have drawn level in the very next minute but Mathew Butturini shot just wide after a one-two with Abbot in the opponent's circle.

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The Aussies created many chances in the first half but poor execution came in their way.

They came out firing on all cylinders and equalised three minutes into the second half. Abbot slammed the ball into the top right corner after receiving a good through ball from Kiel Brown.

Both teams created a lot of chances but could not find the back of the net. Pakistan earned two penalty corners in the second half, four in all, but could not make them count.

Australia, looking for their fourth straight win at the 2010 World Cup, looked more likely of the two sides to take the lead.

They made frequent raids into the opponent's circle and their relentless pressure paid off in the 63rd minute when Abbot deflected in a ball from Robert Hammond to clinch the winner for his team.

The 2009 Champions Trophy winners survived some anxious last minutes to take three points from their final league game.

The win lifts them to the top of the group. England and the Aussies have 12 points each but the latter lead the group by virtue of a better goal difference.

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