Pakistan team were knocked out by Spain in the Junior Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Green Shirts lost the quarter-final 4-2 against Spain on Tuesday.
Pakistan had a 1-0 lead, thanks to a goal by captain Hanan Shahid in the first quarter, till half-time. However, Spain roared back in stunning manner in the third quarter with three goals from penalty corners, along with one field goal.
Pakistan scored once again in the 43rd minute, through Sufyan Khan, but that was not enough to get them over the line.
Cabre Verdiell scored twice for the winning side. Aleix Bozal and Pablo Espino scored one 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 will face Australia in the 5th-8th place classification match on December 14.
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.
