Pakistan crash out of Junior Hockey World Cup after defeat against Spain

Pakistan hockey team Tuesday crashed out of the Junior Hockey World Cup after being handed a 4-2 defeat by Spain in the quarter-final match being played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Despite securing an early lead courtesy of captain Hanan Shahid's goal, the national side failed to defend against Spain's counter-attack in the third half as the Spaniards managed to net four goals, three via penalty corners and one field goal in the third half.

With the score 3-1 in Spain's favour, Pakistan attempted to narrow the lead after Sufyan Khan found the back of the net in the 43rd minute, however, Spain managed to score one more to finish the game 4-2 in their favour.

Cabre Verdiell scored twice for the winning side, whereas Aleix Bozal and Pablo Espino scored one goal each.

Pakistan qualified for the quarter-finals after levelling their third game in the group stage by 1-1 against Belgium.

“I’ve always said that this is a talented group of players that can do well in not only the Junior World Cup but even at the senior level. I hope this opens the eyes of people in Pakistan. They need all support,” Pakistan coach Roelant Oltmans said before the game against Spain.

Pakistan also drew 3-3 against the Netherlands, while winning against New Zealand 4-0, in the group stage.

Spain will face France and India will take on Germany in the semi-finals.

Pakistan squad

Ali Raza (Goalkeeper), Arbaz Ahmad, Sufyan Khan, Ghazanfar, Murtaza Yaqoob, Zikriya Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Abdul Rehman, Hanan Shahid (Captain), Abuzar, Arbaz Ayaz, Abdul Rafay (Goalkeeper), Abdul Manan, M Ammad, Ahtisham, Basharat Ali, Aqeel Ahmed, Ali Murtaza, Umer Mustafa, and Abdul Qayyum.