ISLAMABAD: Pakistan men’s hockey team failed to make it to the Paris Olympics after they suffered a 2-3 defeat against New Zealand in the qualifying match in Oman on Sunday.
After winning the match, New Zealand have joined Germany and Great Britain for Paris Olympics, scheduled to be held in July and August this year.
In Sunday’s match, Abu Mahmood scored a goal for Pakistan via a penalty corner in the 18th minute. New Zealand’s Scott Boyde scored a goal in the 24th minute to level the score.
Pakistan regained the lead shortly afterwards, which was again levelled by Inglis Hugo. A spirited New Zealand scored again in the 58th minute, leaving Pakistan with little time to turn around the game.
“New Zealand trail twice, but come back each time and defeat Pakistan in the bronze medal match at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in Oman, to punch their ticket to the Olympic Games #Paris2024,” the International Hockey Federation, or the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH), wrote on X.
This is the third time Pakistan have failed to qualify for the Olympics. The three-time Olympic gold medalists failed to secure a berth in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 too.
On Saturday, Germany defeated Pakistan 4-0 in the semifinal of the Paris Olympics Qualifiers.
Pakistan secured a spot in the semifinals of the qualifiers after their last group match against Malaysia concluded in a 3-3 draw on Thursday.
Paris will host the XXXIII Olympic Summer Games from July 26 to August 11 this year.
