In a nail-biting match, Pakistan came from behind to draw with Belgium 1-1 draw in the last Pool D match, which was good enough to take Roelant Oltmans’ side into the quarterfinals of the Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup (JWC) at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.
The Pakistanis, who won the inaugural JWC 44 years ago when the event was held in France in 1979 and last qualified for the quarterfinals 20 years ago, amassed five points from three matches to go second in the pool behind the Netherlands, who amassed seven points.
Belgium, the 2016 JWC silver medalist, will now play in the 9-16th classification match against Canada.
The Pakistanis and Belgians were embroiled in a fast-paced game, with both sides making quick circle penetrations in the first quarter.
Belgium, however, cracked open Pakistan’s defensive wall in the third minute. Jack Vloeberghs converted a penalty corner, but drag-flick specialist Arbaz Ahmad, a 19-year-old who also plays in the senior side, restored parity for Pakistan in the 42nd minute via a penalty corner conversion.
Pakistan earned three penalty corners, while Belgium had only one. Both teams were stretched to their limits in the second half but could not find the gaps to extend the score.
The fourth quarter was much more even and open as play moved end to end.
But Pakistan stood steady to deny the Belgians to score to earn this all-important draw.
As the Belgians slumped to the ground in disappointment and frustration, the Pakistani players were jumping for joy with emotions running high.
Roelant Oltmans, Pakistan coach, said: “The start of the game was not what we wanted. We were down 1-0 after two minutes. After that, we controlled the game, and not a single Belgian player had a serious chance to score, except one at the end of the match.
Overall, we defended very fantastically today. Before the game, we knew it was going to be a very tight match. We were also prepared in case we had to take off the goalkeeper. At the end of the day, we are very happy to have qualified for the quarterfinals.”
Jeroen Baart, Belgium coach, said: “It’s part of the game. Yes, we are very disappointed as we started on the right track. We had the solution to play Pakistan, only that they defended really well. Pakistan gave it their all, and we knew they are a very efficient side. We are disappointed, the players are very sad.
Now we will rest tomorrow, and only then will we think of our classification match. Right now, I do not want to know who we are going to play in the classification. Our mind was focused on today’s match against Pakistan. We are still bothered by not being able to qualify for the quarterfinals. Everyone is shattered right now.”
In an earlier match, India stormed to a smashing 10-0 victory over Canada to join Spain in the quarterfinals from Pool C of the Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup at the National Hockey Stadium this evening.
The Indians and Canadians started off at a high-intensity pace in the first quarter, but it was the Canadians who showed better ball possession.
They had the best chance of taking the lead in the fifth minute when Ravpreet Prit weaved his way into the circle, dummied goalkeeper Shashikumar Mohith only to lose control of the ball.
But India came today with a winning formula. They grabbed a 2-1 lead through goals from Lalage Aditya Arjun’s 8th minute field goal and Rohit’s 12th minute penalty corner conversion. Jude Nicholson popped in a field goal for Canada in the 20th minute which intensified the tempo of the match.
The Indians, however, lived up to their World No 3 ranking, and pumped six more goals through Amandeep Lakra (23rd and 51st), Lalage Aditya (43rd), Vishnu Kant Singh (42nd), Rajinder Singh (43th). and Kushwaha Sourabh Anand (52nd). The Indians further rubbed salt into wound with Rohit’s second and India’s ninth goal, while team captain Uttam Singh nailed the 10th goal of the night with two minutes to the end of play.
C.K. Kumar, India’s coach, said: “We are happy, but at the same time, we conceded early, and that is not good. Overall, we are getting our momentum and are carrying it into the quarterfinals. We did everything good in the third and fourth quarter, and that momentum must carry on when we play in the next round.
It does not matter who we play in the quarter-finals. Every team that makes the quarterfinals is a formidable opponent. We can expect a good game no matter who we play. We don’t get exposure like the European teams, but we can manage playing against them.”
Geoffrey Matthews, Canada coach, said: “I was really proud of our performance in the first half. This is the first time the team played a fantastic game against India, and we had several circle penetrations in the first half.
But I was disappointed in the second half. We could not carry on with the same momentum and basically cracked under pressure, allowing India to score at will.”
FIXTURES
Classification matches – 9 th to 16th
MONDAY (11 DEC)
Malaysia V Egypt (9 am)
Belgium V Canada (11.15 am)
South Africa V Chile (3.45 pm)
South Korea V New Zealand (6 pm)
QUARTERFINALS
TUESDAY (12 DEC)
Argentina V Germany (9 am)
Netherlands V India (11.15 am)
France V Australia (3.45 pm)
Spain V Pakistan (6 pm)
