Hockey World Cup 2018, Match 8: Germany vs Pakistan, Live Score, Commentary & Updates

That's it from us here - this is Subhashish signing off- do join us when Canada play South Africa at 1700 IST tomorrow - and the big one - India play Belgium at 1900 IST. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for all the latest updates

THE GERMANS HAD TO WORK HARD - IN THE END IT'S JUST A SINGLE GOAL THAT SEPARATES THE TWO TEAMS - GRAMBUSCH EARNS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD - STATES THE GERMANS STR NOT USED TO THE CROWDS AND THE WEATHER BUT DID THEIR BEST

PAKISTAN PLAYED AN UNCHARACTERISTICALLY RESTRAINED GAME, SACRIFICING FLAIR FOR SOLIDITY AND KEPT THINGS INCREDIBLY TIGHT AT THE BACK - THEY DID SUCCEED TO A LARGE EXTENT IN KEEPING THE GERMANS QUIET AND AWAY FROM THE DANGER ZONE - HASSAN SARDAR WILL BE HAPPY IN SPITE OF THE RESULT

FULL-TIME: GERMANY 1 - PAKISTAN 0

MARCO MILTKAU 36'

59' Heavy, but clean tackle by Nguyen to dispossess Abu Bakr

58' A cross comes in and flashes harmlessly across the German goalmouth - Pakistan running out of time here

57' Green card to Muhammad Irfan for a nasty obstruction

56' The German defenders looking far too good to allow Pakistan room

55' Germany have a great chance to break forward but Pakistan manage manage to mop up - just about

NO GOAL - FREE OUT TO THE DEFENCE - AS THE BALL HIT THE BODY OF THE GERMAN ATTACKER

53' Hauke earns a free hit - Wellen scores - but Pakistan want to refer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

52' Zubair attempts to scamper ahead of his markers - fails to find the pace to do so

51' Florian tries to angle the ball in from the baseline - too many Green shirts to get past

49' Tasawwar gets on the other end of a long ball - loses control outside the German D

48' Imran Butt denies Wellen at the other end - the pace of the match is hotting up as both sides begin to venture ahead

47' Pakistan storm the German circle - fail to get a shot on goal

Germany just ahead but Pakistan continue to threaten - can the Men in Green restore parity?

END OF Q3: GERMANY 1 - PAKISTAN 0

44' AIJAZ FAILS TO REACH THE BALL IN FRONT OF GOAL WHEN ALL THE GERMAN DEFENDERS WERE BEATEN

43' Pakistan look for PC but earn a long corner - Irfan Sr working trielessly as ever

GRAMBUSCH FLICKS WIDE!!

40' GERMANY HAVE A PC THANKS TO MARTIN HANER

38' GRAMBUSCH AT THE OTHER END - FAILS TO CONTROL HIS SHOT AND FIRES IT WIDE

37' PAKISTAN MISS A SITTER!!!!!! ZUBAIR UNABLE TO CONNECT ON TO THE BALL AT THE GOALMOUTH

GERMANY 1 - PAKISTAN 0

MARCO MILTKAU SCORES - GERMANY ARE AHEAD!!!!

36' GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

33' Flank to flank and flank to center - the Germans inch ahead in typical fashion - Pakistan come away - cannot get a cross into the circle

32' Irfan Jr has the ball just outside the right of the German D - cannot weave his way in

31' Pakistan begin the second half by knocking the ball around in their own half - caution is the key

"We need PCs" says Hassan Sardar

"We need more speed in the second half" says Stefan Kermas

Ten circle penetrations and three shots on goal for Germany - three circle entries and two shots on goal for Pakistan. The Men in Green sacrificing flair for solidity at the back - the match is fascinatingly poised - as the game is sure to open up and get more interesting in the second half

END OF Q1: GERMANY 0 - PAKISTAN 0

28' Pakistan mess up a chance to counter

26' Mohd Irfan is calm, composed, and efficient at the back - the Germans being beaten at their own game in the Pakistan 23

25' One forward pass is followed by two back passes as the Germans being held up in Pakistani traffic

24' WELLEN TRIES A FIRST-TIMER - MISSES THE TARGET

23' Pakistan have been excellent with their marking - the Germans not creative enough thus far

21' The Germans unable to split open the Pakistan defence - Pakistan unable to move beyond the German 23- lots of play in the midfield

20' Ruhr gets a green card - but Germany have the ball

19' IMRAN BUTT INTO THE ACTION AGAIN - GERMANY BEGIN TO ASSERT THEMSELVES

18' Germany come away down the left flank - cannot find a way ahead - switch flanks instead - Fuchs caught in a pocket on the right end

16' Germany have a free hit - Florian Fuchs fails to control the ball in the Pakistan circle

CHRISTOPHER RUHR HAD THE BEST CHANCE IN THE FIRST QUARTER - BUT BOTH TEAMS HAVE BEEN EQUALLY TIGHT AT THE BACK - FOUR CIRCLE PENETRATIONS FOR GERMANY - ONE FOR PAKISTAN - AN INTENSE AFFAIR WITH THE PROMISE OF GREAT THINGS TO COME

END OF Q1: GERMANY 0 - PAKISTAN

14' Pakistan have a chance to get a shot on goal - the shot is off target though

13' Ruhr dispossessed at the far left end of the pitch- Pakistan defending well

12' Rizwan Sr finds Ali Shan - who cannot reach the ball near the German back line

11' Intense and absorbing at the center of the pitch - neither side giving an inch - the Germans look better up front