New Delhi: Four-time winners Pakistan came up with a much-improved performance but favorites Australia eked out a 2-1 victory to go into the semis with 12 points as the top team from the group.
It was a highly forgettable outing for Pakistan who brought up the rear of the six-team Pool claiming three points, and would now have to settle for the 11th-12th position play-off with Canada on Wednesday.
For Pakistan, veteran Sohail Abbas scored first, converting a penalty cornerin the 24th minute to put Pakistan 1-0 up at the halftime. Desmond Abbott then equalized in the 38th minute and struck the winner seven minutes from the final hooter.
Australia was almost through to the last four even before Monday’s game. The only way Spain could have pipped the Kookaburras was by defeating England by a bigger margin.
It was Pakistan’s fourth loss in the tournament, their only win coming against Spain. They, however, played their hearts out against Australia.
In fact, Pakistan could have easily walked away with a win had they converted their chances in the dying minutes. Perhaps, it was their lack of confidence that let them down.
The final standings in Pool B of the Hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Monday.
Teams P W D L F A PT
Australia 5 4 0 1 23 6 12
England 5 4 0 1 17 12 12
Spain 5 3 0 2 12 8 9
India 5 1 1 3 13 17 4
South Africa 5 1 1 3 13 28 4
Pakistan 5 1 0 4 9 16 3
P: Matches played, W: won, D: drawn, L: lost, F: Goals for, A: Goals against, PT: Total Points
It was a highly forgettable outing for Pakistan who brought up the rear of the six-team Pool claiming three points, and would now have to settle for the 11th-12th position play-off with Canada on Wednesday.
For Pakistan, veteran Sohail Abbas scored first, converting a penalty cornerin the 24th minute to put Pakistan 1-0 up at the halftime. Desmond Abbott then equalized in the 38th minute and struck the winner seven minutes from the final hooter.
Australia was almost through to the last four even before Monday’s game. The only way Spain could have pipped the Kookaburras was by defeating England by a bigger margin.
It was Pakistan’s fourth loss in the tournament, their only win coming against Spain. They, however, played their hearts out against Australia.
In fact, Pakistan could have easily walked away with a win had they converted their chances in the dying minutes. Perhaps, it was their lack of confidence that let them down.
The final standings in Pool B of the Hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Monday.
Teams P W D L F A PT
Australia 5 4 0 1 23 6 12
England 5 4 0 1 17 12 12
Spain 5 3 0 2 12 8 9
India 5 1 1 3 13 17 4
South Africa 5 1 1 3 13 28 4
Pakistan 5 1 0 4 9 16 3
P: Matches played, W: won, D: drawn, L: lost, F: Goals for, A: Goals against, PT: Total Points
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