Spain extend Pakistan's losing streak to 12 matches in FIH Pro League

WAVRE: Alvarez Nicolas scored a brace as Spain thrashed Pakistan 4-2 in the league-stage match of the FIH Pro League here at the Belfius Hockey Arena on Saturday.

The enthralling fixture got off to a contrastingly quiet start as both sides failed to net the opener in the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Pakistan successfully converting a penalty corner through Abu Mahmood and pulling ahead in the 28th minute, only for Spain to net the equaliser in the next minute as Pepe Cunill struck after the penalty corner.

Alejandro Alonso then put Spain into the lead early in the penultimate quarter, while Nicolas Alvarez doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute.

Mahmood managed to pull one back for Pakistan in the next minute as the two teams head into the final quarter with the scoreboard reading 3-2 in Spain's favour.

Spain thoroughly dominated the final half of the fixture, with Alvarez scoring again and rounding up a comprehensive 4-2 victory for them.

Despite the resounding victory, Spain remained seventh in the FIH Pro League standings with 11 points in as many matches, just three behind Germany with a game in hand.

Pakistan, on the other hand, suffered their 12th consecutive defeat in the tournament and thus remained at the rock bottom.

The Green Shirts will now travel to England on June 21, where they will be locking horns with the home side and arch-rivals India twice. Their next match is scheduled against India on June 23.

Pakistan squad for FIH Pro League

Goalkeepers: Waqar Ali, Ali Raza.

Defenders: Abu Bakar, Arbaz Ahmad and Mohammad Abdullah.

Midfielders: Nadeem Khan, Ammad Shakeel, Moin Shakeel, Hammad Anjum, Zakriya Hayat.

Forwards: Gjazanfar Ali, Mohammad Emmad, Rana Waleed, Afraz Khan, Rana Wahid, Abdue Rahman, Ahmad Nadeem and Arshad Liaquat.