The loss in the third position match concluded Pakistan’s bid for Olympic qualification.
MUSCAT: The Pakistan men’s hockey team faced a setback in their quest for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, succumbing to a 3-2 defeat against New Zealand in the third/fourth place match during the ongoing qualifiers in Muscat, Oman.
The team needed to secure the third position in the Olympics qualifier to advance to the Paris Olympics. The first quarter of the match remained goalless, but at the start of the second quarter, Abu Bakr Mahmood converted a penalty corner into a goal, granting Pakistan the lead. However, six minutes later, New Zealand’s Scott Boyd equalized the match.
Shortly after, Pakistan was awarded a penalty stroke, and Abu Bakr Mahmood scored, reclaiming the lead. The team held a 1-2 advantage until the last minutes of the final quarter. Eight minutes before the decisive whistle, New Zealand’s Hugo Inglis scored, leveling the match at 2-2. In the 58th minute, Scott Boyd’s goal secured a 2-3 lead for New Zealand, marking the final outcome.
The loss in the third position match concluded Pakistan’s bid for Olympic qualification. In the preceding semi-final, Germany defeated Pakistan 4-0 to secure their spot. Pakistan’s draw against Malaysia, where they secured a crucial point, had propelled them to the semi-finals.
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Earlier in the week, Pakistan secured their first victory by defeating China 2-0 but suffered a 6-1 loss against Britain on Monday. Despite finishing second in Pool A behind Britain, Pakistan fell short in the crucial third position match.
