K. ARUMUGAM

With two top European teams in the pool, Netherlands and Belgium, not many would have given any chance for Pakistan — whose fortunes on the hockey fields are anything but rosy in the current decade. But the team led by Shahid Hannan surprised everyone here in Kuala Lumpur, probably themselves too, with a fighting draw against Belgium today (1-1), which was suffice for it to push them to third spot and thus claim the coveted second position in the Pool of Death.

Pakistan, defeating Belgium 1-1 today in the last match at the impressive Bukit Jalil stadium, entered the quarterfinal, a feat it achieved after almost two decades. Pakistan will meet Spain, Pool C topper, while India in the same pool will engage The Netherlands in the other quarter.

Had Pakistan won Belgium, in hindsight fell short of a goal, it would have been dream India-Pak in the QF, which did not happen.

Pakistan celebrates Belgium draw

“Our is a pool of Death. We faced upto two European powerhouses and you got where we are”, said excited mentor Roelant Oltmans, who has taken over coaching the Juniors four months ago.

Pakistan needed a draw or win after winning a match and drawing in the pool. On the other hand, Belgium  needed a win to make it to their QF. Belgium was off to a good start, scoring withing three minutes of the first quarter.

However, Pakistan was not giving up.

“I am proud the way our defence played today. It was something great.” analysed Oltmans.

Strongly built Arbaz Ahamad, who has been scoring goals aplenty in the Asian Games, Junior Asia Cup and everywhere, turned out to be the Man Friday today when the immaculately sent the ball to the top corner of the net in the 42nd minute off a hard-earned penalty corner.

Still 18 minutes were left for the Belgium to go up, but it was not to be. Tight defence where Arbaz Ahamad, Sufizan Khan and Ghazanfar Ali were solid, rose to the expected level to frustrate the  highy ranked Belgians.

We had a tense last moments. There was also a penalty corner conceded, but hats off to my boys, the defence the midfield”, continued Oltmans.

“These boys have proved. Hope Pakistan start supporting them which they deserved. I hope they will emerge stronger when they would move to senior ranks. May be will be there in the knock out stages of next senior World Cup too:, said Oltmans.

“We are World No.15, bur are now in the top 8 of Junior World Cup”, said excitedly Oltmans.

It was a high intensity match, where no quarter was given or taken. The pace, the turn overs and the tight defence were all there making it  a merry time for about a hundred Pakistan supporters on the stands.