GNIEZNO (Poland): Once again, New Zealand have inflicted heartache on Pakistan. Less than five months after crushing Pakistan’s dreams of reaching the Paris Olympics, New Zealand ended the hopes of winning a long-awaited international title for Roelant Oltmans’ team with a 2-1 victory in the FIH Nations Cup semi-finals on Saturday.

An early two-goal burst had put New Zealand in command and Pakistan’s reply came too late with Rana Waheed Ashraf only cutting the deficit with five minutes to go. Despite Pakistan piling on the pressure for a leveller, New Zealand held on and advanced to a final against France, who downed South Africa 2-1 in the other last-four clash.

New Zealand made a fast start, forcing two penalty corners in the opening minute. On their third, in the very next minute, Kane Russell slotted home to give his side the lead.

It shook Pakistan, who took until the ninth minute to earn their first penalty corner. But it was New Zealand who were celebrating again shortly afterwards when Jake Smith fired in a field effort in the 11th.

Pakistan’s efforts to pull one back went in vain until the 55th minute when Waheed’s effort found the back of the cage but it proved too little too late and Oltmans’ men will now play South Africa in the third-place playoff on Sunday.

South Africa will also be licking their wounds after coming second-best against France despite having taken the lead through Nqobile Ntuli in the 16th minute. But they were flattened by France’s late show, with Gaspard Baumgarten levelling matters in the 54th before Victor Charlet converted a drag-flick in the final minute.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2024