AMSTELVEEN:Pakistan’s hopes of finishing ninth at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup ended on Monday after New Zealand defeated them 4-2 in the 9th-16th place classification match at Wagener Stadium.

New Zealand made a flying start, taking the lead just 20 seconds into the match through Dylan Thomas’ field goal.

Pakistan could not find a response in the opening quarter and conceded twice more in the second. Scott Boyde doubled New Zealand’s lead in the 16th minute before George Baker struck six minutes later to give his side a 3-0 advantage at half-time.

Pakistan staged a strong fightback after the interval, with Sufyan Khan reducing the deficit in the 33rd minute before Afraz scored five minutes later to make it 3-2.

New Zealand, however, regained control when Kane Russell converted a penalty corner in the 49th minute to restore the two-goal cushion.

Pakistan pressed for another comeback in the closing stages but could not breach the New Zealand defence, with the score remaining 4-2 at the final whistle.

The result took New Zealand to the top of Pool ‘G’ with nine points and earned them a place in the ninth-place playoff against Ireland at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Belgium on Friday.

Pakistan will face South Africa in the 11th/12th place match at Wagener Stadium on Friday.

Pakistan had earlier failed to progress from the main round after losing to England and arch-rivals India and drawing 3-3 with Wales to collect just one point.

They then beat Japan 4-3 in their first classification match on Saturday, securing their first World Cup victory since defeating Spain 2-1 in the 2010 edition.

The win over Japan had ended Pakistan’s 16-year wait for a victory at the global event.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2026