ANTWERP: Pakistan men’s hockey team slumped to a new low as it failed to qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics after suffering a shocking 0-1 defeat to Ireland in a play-off match of the World League Semifinals on Friday.

Pakistan’s loss in the first play-off match for the fifth to eighth spots means now they cannot finish above the seventh position in this tournament while it required them to finish at least in the sixth place to qualify for the Rio Olympics which will be held in 2016.

For Ireland, who won a silver medal in the 1908 Olympic hockey behind England, this was their first victory in 11 encounters against Pakistan.

The match-winner by Alan Sothern in penalty corner action in the 46th minute kept alive Ireland’s dreams of making their first Olympic hockey appearance in a century.

Failing to convert their territorial domination into goals, Pakistan became more error-prone in their desperation to get the equaliser. With just a minute and a half left, they took off their goalkeeper to put in an additional striker on the pitch, but the move came too late.

Three-time gold medallists Pakistan are among the most successful teams in Olympic hockey history, only behind eight-time gold medallists India and four for Germany, which includes one by West Germany. However, Friday’s fate is a new low for Pakistan who had also failed to qualify for the World Cup last year.

“This is a sad day for Pakistan hockey,” said captain Mohammad Imran as he walked away from the pitch shaking his head in disbelief. “We had chances, but failed to convert them. We were misfiring throughout the tournament. I feel sorry for the hockey lovers in Pakistan, who always expect a lot from the national team.”

Irish captain David Harte, who under the bar blocked some Pakistan shots at the goal and saw others being sprayed wide, was delighted at the turn of events. “Things did not go well for us in some previous matches, but I’m elated that we emerged winners today,” said Harte.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2015

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