KARACHI: Poland recovered from a 0-2 deficit to shock favourites Pakistan 3-2 in one of the last round-robin matches of the World Cup qualifiers, played at the Metropole Hockey Club in Lille, France, on Saturday.

 According to the information received here, Pakistan, after a field goal from Waqas Sharif in the 29th minute, were leading 1-0 at halftime.

Mohammad Zubair consolidated the lead in the 42nd minute but then Poland came into action to score three goals within a short span of 15 minutes to emerge the winner.

Poland’s first and second goals were both successful field attempts by Artur Mikula (45th min) and Bartosz Zywiczka (58th min) respectively followed by a penalty-corner converted by Krzysztof Kmiec in the 60th minute.

The loss, however, has no effect on Pakistan’s standing on the points table as they are still leading with 12 points and will be playing the final against Japan on Sunday.

Japan beat France 3-2 in the other match on Saturday to reach the finals. In the other contest of the day, Russia and Italy drew 2-2.

Sunday’s fixtures: Pakistan vs Japan (final); Poland v France (3rd-place match); Russia v Italy (6th-place match).