Germany, France, India qualify for semifinals: Pakistan to meet Australia on Thursday
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia): Spain’s 15 minutes game in the 3rd quarter overwhelmed all the efforts and strategies of Pakistan by scoring three goals in a quick succession by Pol Cabre on the 6th and 7th penalty-corner here at National Hockey Stadium Bukit Jalil here on Tuesday in the last quarterfinal of the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2023.
Pakistan earned lead 1-0 when skipper Abdul Hanan Shahid netted the ball in the 4th minute of the second quarter, as they maintained their lead in the first half. The third quarter was a nightmare for the Pakistan, as the Spanish players took the full advantage of errors, which were made by Pakistan’s defenders. The final score-line was 4-2.
Germany beat Argentina (2-1):
Defending champions Argentina went down 1-2 in a thriller against Germany. The Germans had better possession in a goalless first half but it was their keeper, Joshua Nnaji Onyekwue, who had to make an excellent diving save from a blistering Inaki Minadeo drag flick.
The Germans were eventually rewarded for their dominance in the third quarter, Hugo von Montgelas turning his marker inside out at the top of the circle and firing home. Soon after, Paul Glander shaped up for a drag flick and slipped it left for Jakob Brilla to rocket home for a two-goal lead. But Argentina refused to lie down and Nnaji Onyekwue was again called on to deny them as the quarter ended. Argentina came alive early in the final quarter, Agustin Bonanno scoring early to set up a nail-biting finish. Argentina created numerous opportunities with a flurry of shots, five penalty corners, and a penalty stroke. They even subbed their keeper off with six minutes to play, but the German defence held firm around Onyekwue.
India beat Netherlands (4-3):
India came from behind twice in their gutsy 4-3 victory over a dominant Netherlands team. The Dutch had the perfect start, Timo Boers’ fifth-minute drag flick deflecting in high off the first wave’s foot, and Pepijn van der Heijden adding a second with a blistering low drag. That meant India went into the break trailing 0-2.
The Indians fought back early in the second half, Araijeet Singh Hundal’s brilliant skills along the baseline setting up Aditya Arjun Lalage for a tap-in. Hundal drew India level a minute later with a penalty stroke, only for Olivier Hortensius to regain the lead for the Dutch with an excellent penalty corner deflection late in the third quarter. India weren’t done yet though, and Sourabh Anand Kushwaha drew them level once more with eight minutes left in the match. Captain Uttam Singh finally put India in front with four minutes remaining, completing a perfect penalty corner deflection from the p-spot. The Dutch immediately substituted their keeper and applied immense pressure, winning seven penalty corners in the last 90 seconds. But India defended these bravely with the keeper only being called on to save one as his runners charged the rest down, leaving the Dutch to rue many missed opportunities.
France beat Australia (3-2):
France emerged victorious in their 3-2 clash with Australia. There was very little to separate the teams until Noé Jouin’s diving deflection at the right post from a penalty corner in the 17th minute. Gaspard Denis pounced on a loose ball outside the Australian circle four minutes later and was allowed to run unchecked towards goal before popping it over the keeper’s shoulder from close range for a 2-0 lead.
The teams traded goals within a minute of each other to end the third quarter, Jouin bagging a carbon copy of his first sliding deflection, and Australia hitting back with a Cooper Burns field goal. Burns converted an excellent penalty corner variation for his second early in the fourth quarter, setting up a tense finish. Australia had three penalty corners in the final 90 seconds but they were denied, first by the runner, then by keeper Marius Clement, and finally by a brave Tassilo Sura on the post.
Spain beat Pakistan (4-2):
Spain maintained their tournament momentum in an entertaining 4-2 win against Pakistan. The Spaniards were denied an early lead as Ali Raza made a good penalty corner save, and Pakistan then struck through captain Shahid Hannan’s field goal. Abdul Rafay made an excellent save to maintain Pakistan’s lead, and the rest of the half was tightly contested with both defences being tested.
Still a goal down, Spain started well in the second half and were rewarded when Pol Cabre Verdiell and Aleix Bozal scored drag flicks within a minute of each other to go ahead. Jan Capellades denied Pakistan an equaliser with a good bit of positional keeping, and Spain immediately broke out for Pablo Espino to finish a good team goal. Sufyan Khan scored a drag flick to bring Pakistan back within one, but Cabre Verdiell responded immediately with another drag flick for the two-goal cushion. There were good scoring opportunities at both ends in the final quarter but neither defence could be breached.
