Pakistan vs Netherlands, first game ends in a stalemate
World no 17 Pakistan dominated in parts but settled for a 4-4 draw against 2018 World Cup finalist Netherlands in the first-leg of Olympic Qualifiers on Saturday.
Pakistan men's hockey team put on a stunning display against the much higher-ranked Netherlands in a seesawing 4-4 draw in the first-leg of the FIH Olympic Qualifiers at Amstelveen on Saturday.
World no 3 Netherlands came into the tie as the favorite, but Pakistan, which has been struggling took the lead in the 5th minute through a dragflick from Mubashar Ali.
The Dutch pulled things level before half-time when Mink van der Weerden slotted home a penalty stroke in the 20th minute. Bjorn Kellerman put the host in the lead in the next minute with a field goal, but Ali Ghazanfar converted a penalty corner for Pakistan in the 25th minute as the teams went into the half-time tied 2-2.
Pakistan stepped up the challenge in the second half and in the 38th minute, skipper Muhammed Rizwan scored from a penalty corner to give Pakistan the lead for the second time. The Dutch pushed for an equaliser but the Green Shirts held on to their slender lead in the third quarter.
Netherlands found success in the 52nd minute when Robbert Kemperman slotted home a field goal to make it 3-3. The lead did not last long as Mubashar Ali scored from a corner in the 58th minute to restore Pakistan's lead.
However, the host held their nerves as Mink van der Weerden found the net with a dragflick in the final seconds of the match to secure a 4-4 draw for the home team.
The second leg of the encounter will be played today (27th October) to determine the winners of the tie.
