The men’s hockey team from Pakistan lost 3-2 against New Zealand in the third-place game of the current qualifiers in Muscat, Oman, and therefore missed out on qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Pakistan’s loss against New Zealand ends Paris Olympics ambitions.
Pakistan’s loss against New Zealand ends Paris Olympics ambitions
After defeating Pakistan, the Kiwis qualified for the July and August Olympics in Paris, after Great Britain and Germany. For the third time in a row, Pakistan was unable to advance to the international competition.
The three-time gold medallists at the Olympics failed to lock down their places for Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016. Abu Mahmood scored for Pakistan from a penalty corner in the eighteenth minute of a fiercely contested game.
In the 24th minute, Scott Boyde helped New Zealand tie the game, but the Men in Green quickly took the lead again. Up until Inglis Hugo gave New Zealand a goal in the fifty-second minute, Pakistan led the match.
After applying constant pressure, the Kiwis scored a third goal in the 58th minute to guarantee their spot in the Olympics. Yesterday, Great Britain overcame New Zealand 3-1, and Germany thrashed Pakistan 4-0 in the semifinal to guarantee their qualification.
Pakistan also drew 3-3 with Malaysia to secure a vital point that was sufficient to advance Pakistan to the semifinals. Pakistan defeated China 2-0 earlier this week to record their first victory in the league. Pakistan’s first game against the United Kingdom ended in a 6-1 loss on Monday. Pakistan trailed Great Britain (nine points) in Pool A of the pool matches. Malaysia concluded with just one point, China with three, and Pakistan with four points.
