Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: The OHC Bully Hockey Club, Netherlands is due to arrive in Lahore on February 18 (Sunday) to play three friendly games in Lahore and Islamabad during a week-long visit aiming to make efforts to restore the prestige of the national sport.The Oldenzaal Hockey Club (OHC) “Bully”, commonly known as OHC Bully will visit Pakistan on an invitation of Khawaja Junaid Hockey Academy (KJHA) and will play three games in all with two at the historic National Hockey Stadium, Lahore, and one at the Naseer Bunda Stadium, Islamabad. The Bully hockey club will play games against Higher Education Commission (HEC) hockey team picked from the Prime Minister’s Youth Talent Hunt Program.The OHC Bully’s visit is historic in the sense that it is after a long interval of 22 years that a European hockey club will visit Pakistan and the Bully’s visit is one of the small steps towards the goal of revival of hockey. The visit may also encourage other European hockey clubs to visit Pakistan every year during the winters.Former Olympian Khawaja Junaid said that he was thankful to the OHC Bully for accepting the invitation to visit Pakistan for friendlies, adding that Khawaja Junaid Hockey club was committed to revive of hockey by nurturing talent at the grass-root level.Khawaja Junaid further said that he was not only grooming the raw hockey talent through coaching from the tender age of seven years, adding that the HEC team was picked was selected by him after trials of 25000 budding players under the Youth Talent Hunt Program.Acknowledged the role of former hockey Olympian Fareed Ahmed, who happens to be the coach of OHC Bully, in arranging the visit to Pakistan, he said “I am also connecting with the outside world to provide the right exposure to these young lads at an early age.” He said this will be a discovery visit for the youth being foreign to Pakistan’s rich hockey traditions and hospitality, expressing the hope that Pakistan will become an annual rendezvous for the European clubs and teams.The former World Champion Khawaja Junaid further said field hockey comes to a standstill during the harsh winters in Europe and European clubs visit the nearby countries like Spain to play hockey, adding that it is the time when the European teams may be invited to make Pakistan their destination as the country boasts of a mild weather during this period.Responding to a query, he said visit of a European hockey club will also help in promoting country’s tourism through sports, adding that this is also a good opportunity for showcase cultural heritage and historical ancestry to the world. Khawaja Junaid also shared that OHC Bully is almost a century-old club which was founded in 1935.Khawaja Junaid thanked Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar and Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed for their support in making this visit of a European hockey club possible. 

Abubakar Mahmood and Abdul Rehman score goals on Penalty Corners for PakistanSports Bulletin ReportMuscat (Oman): Pakistan overpowered China 2-0 in their second fixture of the Paris Olympic Hockey Qualifier 2024 in Muscat on Tuesday night. Pakistan will face Malaysia in their last pool match on January 18 at the same venue.On Tuesday, Pakistan defeated China by two goals in their second pool match, as Abu Bakr Mehmood and Abdul Rehman scored the goals on penalty corners for Pakistan in the third and fourth quarters respectively. Midfielder Abubakar Mehmood was declared man of the match.In the 42nd minute of the third quarter, Pakistan's player Abubakar Mahmood scored a goal and put the Green Shirts in a lead of one goal on a penalty corner. In the 51st minute of the game, youngster Abdul Rahman scored the first international goal of his career through a penalty corner to consolidate Pakistan's lead.

Germany, New Zeeland, and China post victories on the opening dayMohammad Waqas ISLAMABAD: England outclassed Pakistan 6-1 in their opening contest of the Paris Olympic Hockey Qualifier on Monday night.Great Britain rounded out the day’s action from Oman with a professional display with 6 goals against a youthful Pakistan. Ranked 4th in the World, GB held their opposition at arms length throughout the contest - winning every quarter - and while Pakistan grabbed a late consolation, the game ended 6-1. Olympic qualifying got underway in Oman with a comfortable 9-0 win for Germany. In Martin Zwicker’s 300th appearance the world number 5 ranked side had too much for Canada, scoring freely throughout the quarters with little resistance. New Zealand got their campaign underway with 3 points against Chile, in Kane Russell’s 200th appearance. A fast start for the Black Sticks saw them 2-0 up after the first quarter, adding a field goal in the 3rd quarter. Chile fought until the end - grabbing a consolation in the dying moments of the tie.Pool A action got underway in stunning fashion, with China upsetting the odds with an eye-catching win over Malaysia. Despite Malaysia taking the lead in the second quarter China rallied to lead 2-1 heading into the final quarter. Just as it looked as though the sides would share the points after a Malaysia equaliser, Gao Jiesheng took full advantage of a penalty corner and won it for China 3-2 in the dying moments of the game. 

Imad Shakeel Butt to lead Pakistan: Green Shirts need to stand on podium to go ParisAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The National Selection Committee (NSC) of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced an 18-player team for the upcoming Paris Olympics Qualifier, which will take place from January 15 to 21, 2024, in Muscat, Oman.Acting head of the NSC Nasir Ali Khan unfolded the squad after the approval of president PHF Tariq Hussain Masuri Bughti after analyzing the performance of players after conducting a day of trials at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Tuesday.It is pertinent to mention here that the head of NSC, Olympian Kaleem Ullah could not arrive here owing to the bad weather and the flight was not available. The other members of the NSC were Olympians Nasir Ali, Rahim Khan, and Leaque Lashari International.Head Coach Shahnaz Ahmed Sheikh said: “We had to submit the names of players according to the rules of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and we selected the best squad for an international hockey fixture. We picked up 10 players from the juniors’ team which participated in the recently concluded Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2023 in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, as this team is a blend of rising young talented lads and experienced. Our team will not only qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024, will also claim the top position in the Muscat tournament”.Tariq Hussain Masuri Bughti said: “We selected the players entirely on merit and our players will perform up to mark in Oman. I congratulate new captain Imad Butt and all the selected players and hope they will toil hard to achieve their target to confirm the berth in Paris Olympics 2024. Players, who cannot get a place in the national squad should not worry, they will get other occasions soon, and I hope our players will produce notable and sparkling performances. Our aim is only to hoist the green flag in hockey areas of the world”.Imad Shakeel Butt said: “This is a great honour for me to lead the national hockey team and I and my all teammates will work hard in the field to overcome the opponents. We will try our level best to produce acceptable performance in the Paris Olympics Qualifier, which will roll into action on January 15 and Pakistan will face England in their opening match of the international hockey showpiece”.Names of selected players (18): Imad Shakeel Butt (Captain), and Abu Bakr Mahmood (Vice Captain), Abdullah Ishtiaq, Waqar, Arbaz Ahmed, Mohammad Abdullah, Sufiyan Khan, Murtaza Yaqoob, Abdul Mannan, Aqeel Ahmed, Moeen Shakil, Salman Razaq, Abdul Hannan Shahid, Ghazanfar Ali, Abdul Rahman Junior, Zikriya Hayat, Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf, Arshad Liaquat.Team Management: Head Coach Shahnaz Sheikh, Coach Shakil Abbasi, Assistant Coach Olympian Dilawar Hussain, Goalkeeper Coach Amjad Ali, Physiotherapist Waqas Mahmood, and Physical Trainer Mohammad Imran Khan.

Abdul Jabbar FaisalKuala Lumpur (Malaysia): Former captain of national Pakistan hockey team, goalkeeper and Olympian Ahmed Alam has said that the federation politics ruined the national game in the country and players should not be involved in the federation’s affairs.While talking to Editor www.sports-bulletin.com during an exclusive sitting here at a local hotel Pak-Punjb, Ahmed Alam lamented over the declining standard of the national game hockey in the country. “The inside politics of the federation is hurting the game of hockey and unfortunately we have involved the players too in the dirty politics. At least players should not be a part of this thing. If an official is replaced with another one, one who comes changes the team’s players. This is not good for hockey, “he said.“There is a musical-chair game in the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and one goes, another comes and one who goes out starts leg pulling. At present, the federation has adopted the policy to adjust the people, who criticize the top officials of the federation. You can compromise with 15 to 20 men but this is not a good approach. We should bring merit to the federation first and other things will run smoothly automatically. Merit in the PHF is important to put the national game of hockey on the right track, “he elaborated.Former captain further said that no doubt the foreign coaches always produced remarkable results and it might be more fruitful after engaging them with the juniors and rising players. “There must be criteria of coaches. We should give qualified coaches assignments at national level then budding hockey lads learn better and basics of hockey. Also, the government should provide financial assistance to the Pakistan hockey federation. Finances are the fundamental need to run sports and you cannot compromise on it. Players must be facilitated, “he said.Regarding a question about the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2023, Ahmed Alam said he could not blame anyone. “Our boys did well in the pool matches against Holland, Belgium and New Zealand but unfortunately owing to lack of international exposure and experience our players failed to overcome heavyweights Spain in quarterfinal despite displaying excellent skill of hockey. Our goalkeeper Abdul Rafay saved over half a dozen goals during the first thirty minutes of the game. Because of pressure and inexperience he conceded the goals on penalty corners, “he asserted.“We will have to strengthen hockey at gross-root level, especially departmental hockey to boost the standard of the game at domestic level. The future of the hockey players must be safe and secure. They must be provided job opportunities and other facilities. At the school and colleges level hockey sticks should be provided free and there should be players’ cotta in admissions. We will have to make joint efforts with the support of the government to take the national game on peak once again. All ex international Pakistani hockey players should play their role in the promotion of the national game hockey and for raising the green flag at the international hockey stadiums, “he concluded. 

Germany beat France 2-1 in final, Spain claim bronze, Pakistan compromise on 8th spotAbdul Jabbar FaisalKuala Lumpur (Malaysia): Germany have won the title of Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2023 after overcoming France 2-1 in the final here at National Hockey Stadium Bukit Jalil on Saturday night. Spain got third place in the tournament after thrashing India 3-1 in a play-off at the same venue before the final.France’s Gaspard Xavier was named player of the tournament and also received the FIH Rising Star award while Germany’s Joshua Onyekwue Nnaji was named best goalkeeper of the tournament.Argentina beat Pakistan (6-3): Argentina beat Pakistan 6-3 to finish their tournament on a winning note. The South Americans scored first, a Tomas Ruiz drag flick looping back to him off the keeper for an easy hit in. Arbaz Ahmad responded for Pakistan with a drag flick but Argentina regained the lead from a low Ruiz drag flick. Just five minutes later they turned over possession weakly for Ahmad to then score from the resulting penalty stroke. The half ended 2-2.Argentina survived another poor turnover in the opening minute of the second half before going ahead again, Joaquin Toscani making a devastating run from midfield to feed Ramiro Infanzon for a deflection. The Argentinians extended their lead when Ignacio Nardolillo stole a ball 60m out and fed Bautista Capurro who screamed in his reverse shot. Ahmad then handed Pakistan a lifeline, completing his hat-trick from another penalty stroke, but Argentina responded immediately with an Ignacio Persoglio drag flick. Juan Fernandez then sealed the match and 7th place in the tournament for Argentina with a deflection from open play.Netherlands beat Australia (2-1): The Dutch dominated the statistics and were patient with possession in a deserved 2-1 win over Australia. The Australians created dangerous chances for deflections in the opening half but the Dutch simply had the better opportunities throughout. Australian keeper Max Larkin made a great stick save to deny Timo Boers from a penalty corner in the 14th minute and added two more saves from open play before failing to clear a loose ball, Dylan Lucieer pouncing on the scraps for Netherlands to lead 1-0 at half time.The Dutch controlled the second half, starving Australia of possession and testing the excellent Larkin repeatedly before Bouwe Buitenhuis popped a delicate overhead to unmarked Casper van der Veen on the p-spot for their second goal. Cooper Burns gave Australia faint hopes after rifling in a drag flick from a penalty corner just 90 seconds from time, but the Dutch secured the win and with that, fifth place in the tournament.Spain beat India (3-1): Spain proved the better team on the day and emerged as 3-1 winners against India in the third-place playoff. The first half was evenly contested, India starting better but unable to beat Jan Capellades in goal. The momentum then shifted towards the Spanish who were patient in possession, and Nicolas Alvarez fired in a field goal to take the lead. India hit back off a penalty corner, Sunil Jojo, reacting fastest to the rebound and levelling the scores at 1-1 before the break.Spain dominated in the third quarter, but Indian goalkeeper Mohith Shashikumar proved up to the task. Capellades then made an excellent save for Spain before Pau Petchame finally snuck one through the Indian defence to regain the lead. Spain put the game out of reach in the final quarter, Pol Cabre Verdiell crossing to Alvarez for a deflection. India had opportunities to claw their way back through several penalty corners, but Capellades kept them out, with some assistance from the crossbar, and Spain secured a well-deserved bronze medal.Germany beat France (2-1): Germany came from behind to beat France 2-1 as both teams enjoyed periods of dominance in a fitting final. French goalkeeper Marius Clément got his angles exactly right in the opening minute to deny the Germans an early lead. A German defender then miss-trapped a ball and it sat up beautifully for Tom Gaillard who unfortunately failed to connect with his shot. Clément again reacted quickly to shut down Ben Hasbach as the first quarter ended. Jules Verrier opened the scoring for France in the second period, receiving a glorious pass from Louis Haertelmeyer and evading numerous defenders to beat the keeper from close range. The rest of the half was tightly contested, and France led 1-0 at the break.The momentum was building for Germany though, and Jan Cordes pounced on a poor French clearance to slap in an equaliser for Germany in the second minute of the half. Liam Holdermann added an excellent field goal, holding his shot until Clément committed himself. Paul Glander nearly made it three from a penalty corner, but Clément made an incredible save to keep France in the hunt. The French attacked freely in the final quarter but couldn’t find a way through, and Germany claimed the gold medal for the seventh time.Final standings: 1 Germany, 2 France, 3 Spain, 4 India, 5 Netherlands, 6 Australia, 7 Argentina, 8 Pakistan, 9 Belgium, 10 South Africa, 11 New Zealand, 12 Malaysia, 13 Korea, 14 Egypt, 15 Chile, 16 Canada 

Abdul Jabbar FaisalKuala Lumpur (Malaysia): Head Coach of Pakistan national juniors’ hockey team, Roelant Oltamans lamented over the team’s performance in the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2023 saying that Under-21 player produce sparking and notable performance in the first round of the mega event against Holland and Belgium and they failed to maintain such pace and performance in the knock-out stage.While talking to a group of sports reporters after losing against Argentine 6-3 in a play-off, he further added that the first part of the competition was appreciable enough, however, Pakistan conceded 9 goals in the last 30 minutes. “We took a remarkable start in the group matches, as we played draws against Netherlands and Belgium, the best side of the hockey world. We defeated New Zealand with a margin of 4-0 and we were in confidence to do well in the next round. Due to some injuries we could not make-up the thing according to our wishes. We were good defenders and good finishers in the starting of the tournament, “he said.While responding to a question, foreign Pakistani coach said that some boys could go in the senior. “The players need to improve their basics and footwork. Things cannot be changed at once; it needs time to remove the flaws. There is a need to change the hockey system at junior level. Captain Hanan Shahid is an intelligent guy and has good communication skills and he plays a vital role during the camps to communicate with the guys. He speaks good English, “he maintained. Oltamans said that he did not sign any further contract with Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). “I do not know what will be next, whether there will be any assignment for me or not. The Pakistan team can qualify for the Olympic Games 2024, which will be held in Paris next year and Green Shirts will have to produce acceptable results in the Olympic Qualifying Round in Oman next month in January, “he replied to another question.  

Australia get-rid-of Pakistan 7-5 in a play-off fixture: Final on SaturdayAbdul Jabbar FaisalKuala Lumpur (Malaysia): France and Germany set their championship clash of the Men’s Juniors Hockey World Cup 2023 after defeating their challengers in the semifinals Spain 3-1 and India 4-1 respectively here at National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil on Thursday.Netherlands beat Argentina (1-0): The Holland players made the most of their opportunities and defended well to beat Argentina 1-0.The 2021 champions had a series of half chances in the opening 30 minutes, but Dutch keeper Daan Taphoorn got his lines right and wasn’t tested. The best opportunity of the half fell to Argentina with a penalty corner against four defenders (because of a green card) but Taphoorn gloved the shot over the bar and it remained goalless at the break.The Dutch dominated the third quarter and were rewarded with a sharp field goal, Jan van ’t Land receiving a long pass deep in the circle and slipping it across goal where Dylan Lucieer’s quick hands beat the scrambling Joaquin Ruiz. The Spanish keeper denied the Dutch a second with a good save to keep Argentina in the hunt but, despite applying great pressure in the final quarter, they couldn’t find an equaliser.Australia beat Pakistan (7-5): Australia dominated a busy third quarter in their 7-5 victory over Pakistan. The Australians started well, Nathan Czinner opening the scoring in the third minute with a well-finished field goal. Abdul Qayyum levelled matters for Pakistan, but Cambell Geddes scored a drag flick for Australia to lead 2-1 at half-time.The third quarter started with Brodee Foster and Umar Mustafa trading field goals before Australia took control with three goals in four minutes, Geddes completing his hat-trick with two penalty corners and Czinner adding a field goal. Foster bagged a penalty stroke early in the fourth quarter for an unassailable 7-2 lead. Pakistan fought hard, adding field goals from Ahtisham Aslam and Qayyum, and a penalty corner from Sufyan Khan, but it was all too little too late.Germany beat India (4-1): It was a story of penalty corners as Germany defended all 12 of India’s and scored both of their own in a tricky 4-1 win to progress to the final. India dominated the first half but Germany opened the scoring, Ben Hasbach pouncing on loose ball after a scrambling Indian defence made two saves. Sudeep Chirmako hit back for India, cleaning up loose ball and finishing with a blistering reverse stick shot. The Germans then absorbed immense pressure, defending 10 penalty corners in the half before scoring from their first on the stroke of half time, Hasbach getting the faintest overhead deflection for an unlikely 2-1 lead.The third quarter was much tighter. India failed off their 11th penalty corner while Germany’s Paul Glander made no mistake with their second. The Germans sealed the game in the final quarter, captain Matteo Poljaric working the baseline skillfully before setting up Florian Sperling who needed two attempts to beat goalkeeper Shashikumar Mohith Honnenahalli.France beat Spain (3-1): France secured their spot in the final with a hard-earned 3-1 win over Spain. The French scored in the second minute, Brieuc Delemazure bulleting his drag flick through goalkeeper Jan Capellades. A sliding Jules Verrier then nearly made it two but the ball struck his body on the goal line. Marius Clement and Capellades made good penalty corner saves at opposite ends of the field, and Spain’s Oriol Bozal received a 10-minute suspension for an off-the-ball incident. The Spanish then drew level on the first quarter hooter, Aleix Bozal firing in a low drag flick. The second quarter remained tight, and the teams went into the break with the scores still locked at 1-1.France went ahead again early in the third quarter, the umpire playing good advantage in the circle for Stanislas Branicki to slap into an open net, keeper Capellades having been drawn off his line to shut down an attack. Louis Haertelmeyer then extended the lead, beating the last defender with a good touch and smashing it in. Spain had several opportunities in the final period but could not capitalise as the seventh-ranked French celebrated securing their place in Saturday’s final.

Mohammad Rizwan MalikKuala Lumpur (Malaysia): Belgium will face South Africa in the playoff for ninth place while hosts Malaysia will play New Zealand for 11th spot after a day of shootouts at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.Egypt beat Canada (1-1, SO: 3-2): The Canadians dominated the opening quarter and Egypt’s Mahmoud Husin had to make an excellent low save from a penalty corner to deny them an early lead. They made the breakthrough when Maansarovar Sidhu deflected in from the p-spot off a penalty corner variation to take the lead. Egypt dominated the second quarter despite Ahmed Fahmy serving a 10-minute suspension for a slide tackle, but still trailed 0-1 at half time having had a goal disallowed.Egypt looked dangerous and equalised in the first minute of the second half, Hussein Awad deflecting a penalty corner in at the post. But it started going wrong with first Mohamed Hosni serving a 10-minute suspension, and Fahmy being sent off for his second yellow card offence at the end of the third quarter. The Egyptians started the final period with nine players, but Canada couldn’t take advantage and the scores were locked at 1-1 after 60 minutes. Egypt made less errors in the ensuing shootout and to win it 3-2.Korea beat Chile (2-1): Korea came from behind late in their match to beat Chile 2-1. It was an enthralling encounter with few real opportunities in the first half. Joaquín Muñoz eventually fired in a drag flick to give Chile the lead in the 25th minute. Korean keeper Seyeon Kim then saved a deflection from open play to prevent any further damage by the half-time break.Neither team could create anything in the third quarter but Korea seemed to be building momentum into the final period. Kim kept them in the hunt with a good double save from open play and Korea finally drew level after 52 minutes, Taewon Seo tapping in Junyeol Lim’s pass from the baseline after a patient buildup. Daehyun Kim put them ahead two minutes later, receiving a free hit and smashing it into goal from the top of the circle. Chile took their keeper off in the final minutes to push for a goal and very nearly drew level but Kim made another double save before the third shot ricocheted off the crossbar.Belgium beat Malaysia (2-2, SO: 5-3): The heavily favoured Belgians had to dig deep to edge out hosts Malaysia 5-3 in a shootout when their match finished 2-2 after 60 minutes. Goalkeepers Mohamad Rafaizul and Boris Feldheim both made good saves in the opening half before Max Luyten fired in a field goal for Belgium to lead 1-0 at the break.The start of the second half was delayed by torrential rain but once action resumed Hugo Labouchere rocketed in a drag flick for Belgium, only for Adam Ashraf to respond with a scrappy field goal for the hosts a minute later. Malaysia then applied sustained pressure, post-man Guillermo Hainaut saving a penalty corner and Feldheim saving a field goal, before Ashraf drew the home side level with a penalty stroke. This sent the match into a shootout in which Belgium scored from all five attempts for the win.South Africa beat New Zealand (3-3, SO: 4-3): South Africa pulled off an incredible comeback from three goals down against New Zealand to level the scores 3-3 and then snatch a 4-3 victory in the shootout. New Zealand had an ideal start, Aiden Bax opening the scoring with a scrappy field goal late in the first quarter. Two minutes later South African keeper Gianluca Virissimo made an excellent save from a penalty corner, only for Sam Lints’ rebound shot to deflect in off a defending stick. Virissimo denied New Zealand twice more to restrict their half-time lead to 2-0.James Hickson then put the junior Black Sticks three up after the break, his cross deflecting in off another unfortunate defender. But within a minute Hans Neethling responded for South Africa with a penalty stroke, and Jaydon Brooker fired in a drag flick to set up a tense final quarter. Neethling equalised for South Africa from open play to take the match to a shootout, which South Africa clinched 4-3 in sudden death.

Germany, France, India qualify for semifinals: Pakistan to meet Australia on ThursdayAbdul Jabbar FaisalKuala 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.