Pakistan hold Spain to 2-2 draw, keep semifinal hopes alive

Monchengladbach, Sep 10 (UNI) Drag-flicker Sohail Abbas struck at a crucial moment as four-time winners Pakistan displayed remarkable resilience to hold fancied Spain to a 2-2 draw and keep themselves in the reckoning for the last four stage in the hockey World Cup here today.

Both the teams were levelled 1-1 at half time.

For Pakistan, Rehan Butt (11th) and Sohail Abbas (52nd) scored a goal each while for Spain, Santiago Freixa (27th) and Pol Amat (40th) were the goal getters.

Having played three matches each, both the teams have five points in their kitty. Pakistan has to play Argentina and Australia in their last two league matches, while Spain is to meet Japan and New Zealand before concluding their league assignment.

Interestingly, this was the third encounter between the two teams in a space of four weeks. In previous two meetings, Spain had beaten Pakistan 3-2 in Champions Trophy and 6-2 in the Hamburg four-nation tourney.

Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh was unhappy with the umpiring today and said, ''I don't understand what was going on. My players were being pushed around and penalty corners were also given against us.

The umpiring in this match left much to be desired and I don't know why should we always suffer.'' Spain earned six penalty corners but could make use of only one which led to the stroke. Pakistan converted only one penalty corner that came their way.

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