LONDON: Pakistan’s hockey team started its Olympics campaign with a 1-1 draw against Spain on Monday.
Playing at the Riverbank Arena in London, Rehan Butt was the sole scorer for the national side while Pau Quemada of Spain scored the equaliser for his team.
Both teams played a cagey first half. The Pakistan team were left to grapple with their captain Sohail Abbas being shown the green card in the 8th minute, to serve a two minute suspension.
Pakistan came out into the second half with a bit more drive with Butt opening Pakistan’s account in the match and the tournament by scoring in the 45th minute of the game. Spain, though reacted almost immediately after Quemada latched onto a pass right down the middle and slotted expertly in the 46th minute of the game.
Spain scored again, but it was disallowed by the referee.
Mohammad Umar Bhutta was the second Pakistani player to be shown the green card, in the 10th minute of the game.
COMMENTS (22)
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I salute the Pakistani boyz and should kiss their hands as they are playing hockey where there is no glory, no money, no infrastructure at home. With less than 10 astrotruffs in Pakistan and playing on grassy grounds till the age of 16 or 17 and then going to play on truffs, they done very well.
@Proactive: Doesn't matter whose game was more competitive.The thing is you lost the game you lost three points.
@Proactive: Good to see India back in form too, tough luck though, my apology for putting it 2-0 which was than ended up by 3-2; Nederland is a very tough team too, India must have played well, Its a pitty though India lost. End of the day it's a game one is gonna win, But may the good and well deserve team win.
@Imu
India Lost 3-2. They were 2-0 down in the second half and then came back to equalize. The Dutch then won a penalty corner and converted it and then won by 3-2. It was a very competitive game; much better than the Spain vs Pakistan match.
India Lost 2-0,
nice work my sons...
Thank God we didn't lose that one.
awesome play by the green shirts apart of few misses from the forward guys.The attack needs more work out.
If Pakistan do not up their game by several notches, they can easily be annihilated by better teams. Just watch the Netherlands vs India to get an idea of how well prepared and properly gelled teams play.
Come on Sohail bhai!!!! koi baat nahi... InshAllah against Argentina 2 goals.
May be they didn’t win as they were not wearing green shoes as per Aamir Liaqat's suggestion.
Pakistanis played splendid hockey and hope they will continue the same spirit. Coach should work on goalkeeper vigorously.
very good game by both sides but seriously that miss by our goalie was appalling.it was the kind of blooper that pakistani cricket fans associate with kamran akmal. but apart from that mistake, good game by pakistan although we did miss out on a win here. but then the same could be said abt spain too, they played well and missed out on chances just like pakistan. i guess a fair result in the end
good show overall
Good game. Looking at current Pakistani Performance and the fact that Spain is a way stronger team then Team Pakistan it was a real good performance.
Come on boys .... its not ur game which u played in 60s,70s,80,
That miss by goalie was atrocious went between through his legs, should have won this one.
It was a good game. Loser need to thank ALLAH instead of bashing at our hockey team.
Hope they give their all!!! Comon guys, Let us go for glory!!!
Good game...Pak just got a bit complacent in giving away that one goal...otherwise well fought.