Pakistan clinch thrilling 2-1 win over Spain

NEW DELHI: A nervy Pakistan put behind their defeat against arch-rivals India to eke out a narrow 2-1 win against Spain in a hard-fought Pool B encounter of the hockey World Cup on Tuesday.

A defeat on Tuesday would have virtually shut the semifinal door on Pakistan after their 1-4 defeat against India but Abdul Haseem Khan (30th minute, 70th) sounded the board twice to see them through.

David Alegre scored the lone goal for Spain in the 67th minute.

As expected, the match started on a fast pace with Pakistan going for the attack right at the beginning.

As early as in the ninth minute of the game, Pakistan got a great opportunity to go ahead but Waseem Ahmed's shot, after dodging some Spanish defenders in side the D, was saved by goalkeeper Francisco Cortes.

But Spain seemed in no mood to sit back and got their first scoring opportunity in the next minute.

A quick through ball from captain Pol Amat found Rodrigo Garza right in front of the goal but his shot was cleared by Pakistan custodian Salman Akbar.

Pakistan's experienced centre forward Rehan Butt also wasted an opportunity in the 11th minute as he failed to touch the ball with only the Spanish goalkeeper to beat.

Abdul Haseem Khan finally opened the account in the 30th minute, deflecting a high cross into the cage to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead during the lemon break.

After the change of ends, Pakistan created a chance in the 42nd minute when Akhtar Ali found an unmarked Rehan Butt inside the D but the Pakistani striker's reverse shot from an acute angle missed the goal by inches.

Down by a goal, Spain upped the tempo with frequent raids of their opponent's citadel but Pakistani defence thwarted their attempts till the 67th minute of match when the Spaniards equalised from a goal-mouth melee through David Alegre.

Pakistan appealed against the goal and asked for video referral but the video umpire upheld the on-field umpire's decision.

In the dying stages of the match, Pakistan went all out for the all-important winner and earned their first penalty corner but failed to convert it.

But as luck would have it, with little over three minutes to go for the hooter, the sub-continent giants got their second short corner of the match.

Sohail Abbas' flick found Khan in the right place and the latter got the vital touch to sent the crowd, which rooted for Pakistan, in a frenzy.

Pakistan will take on England in their next match on Thursday, while Spain will face off against India the same day.