Historic low as Pakistan fail to qualify for Olympics

Published July 3, 2015
Pakistan needed to finish at least in the 5th spot at the Hockey World League to have any hopes of getting a ticket to next year's Rio Olympics. - Photo courtesy FIH
Pakistan needed to finish at least in the 5th spot at the Hockey World League to have any hopes of getting a ticket to next year's Rio Olympics. - Photo courtesy FIH

Pakistan have failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in their illustrious hockey history after losing to Ireland 1-0 in the 5-8 position classification match of the Hockey World League in Antwerp, Belgium on Friday.

The result comes as another low for Greenshirts who for the first time in the game's history also failed to qualify for the World Cup last year.

Pakistan needed to finish at least in the 5th spot at the Hockey World League to have any hopes of getting a ticket to next year's Rio Olympics. But they were once again guilty of not capitalising on opportunities in front of goal.

Mohammad Dilber had the first chance of putting his team in front but his attempt in the first quarter only found the keeper.

Pakistan upped the ante in the second quarter but once again, Umar Bhutta's effort was blocked by a resolute Irish goalie.

Ireland then scored in the 46th minute to condemn Pakistan to another historic low.

"This is a dark day for Pakistan," said Rashid Mehmood as he left the pitch following Pakistan's defeat.

"We played well and created chances, but we just couldn't score," added Mehmood.

The development will come as a big blow for hockey in Pakistan, which for years now has been struggling to keep afloat amid a shortage of funds and poor management.

Opinion

Editorial

Shortcut tactics
Updated 25 Mar, 2025

Shortcut tactics

IMF’s decision to veto move to reduce retail power tariffs seems to be against interests of middle-class consumers.
Unforced error
Updated 25 Mar, 2025

Unforced error

State must not push ordinary citizens away with its excesses when dealing with Balochistan.
Losing again
25 Mar, 2025

Losing again

WHEN Pakistan’s high-risk Twenty20 approach did not work, there was no fallback plan and they collapsed in a heap...
Climate action
Updated 24 Mar, 2025

Climate action

Waiting for outside help to arrive will only aggravate our climate challenges and not mitigate them.
TB burden
24 Mar, 2025

TB burden

AS the world observes World Tuberculosis Day, we confront the sombre fact that despite being both preventable and...
Unsafe passages
24 Mar, 2025

Unsafe passages

WRETCHED social conditions add an extra layer of cruelty to ordinary lives. The UN’s migration agency says that...