Pakistan’s campaign at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup came to an end after 5-3 defeat to India at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Wednesday.
The defeat marked Pakistan’s second loss in three Group D matches and ended its hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the tournament, being jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium.
Pakistan entered the contest needing a win against arch-rivals India after losing 1-4 to England and drawing 3-3 with Wales in its opening two games.
India took control in the opening quarter when captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner to put his side ahead. Abhishek then extended the lead, leaving India 2-0 up at the end of the first quarter.
Harmanpreet struck again in the second quarter, scoring from a rebound following another penalty corner to make it 3-0.
Pakistan responded through Hannan Shahid, who pulled a goal back to give his team a chance of recovering. India, however, quickly restored its three-goal cushion as Abhishek scored his second of the night.
Pakistan reduced the deficit once more when Sufyan converted the team’s first penalty corner of the match. India nevertheless went into halftime with a 4-2 advantage.
India increased the pressure after the interval and made it 5-2 through a penalty stroke in the third quarter.
Hannan Shahid scored again in the final quarter to complete his brace and bring Pakistan back to within two goals, but India successfully defended its lead to seal a 5-3 victory.
