Hockey World Cup: Netherlands beat Pakistan by 5-1

BHUBANESWAR: Netherlands on Sunday beat Pakistan by 5-1 in a must-win pool D match at the Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India.

Pakistan needed to finish third to qualify for the next round of the World Cup. A victory against Netherlands was must to finish second in Pool D. 

A defeat against Netherlands has left Pakistan and Malaysia to qualify on better goal difference.

According to the current standings of Pool D, Pakistan's goal difference is -1 whereas Malaysia's goal difference is -6.

Pakistan and Netherlands share seven World Cup titles between themselves and have faced each other 10 times at the World Cup, more than any other country, including three finals.

Pakistan have won five times (including a shootout), while Netherlands have won thrice and two games have ended in a draw.

1971: Draw 3-3

1973: Pakistan beat Netherlands 2-1

1975: Draw 3-3

1978: Pakistan beat Netherlands 3-2 (final)

1982: Pakistan beat Netherlands 4-2 (semi-final)

1986: Netherlands beat Pakistan 2-1

1990: Netherlands beat Pakistan 3-1 (final)

1994: Pakistan beat Netherlands (final) on shootout after 1-1

2002: Netherlands beat Pakistan 2-1

2006: Pakistan beat Netherlands 3-2 (crossover 5-8 position)

Netherlands, currently ranked fourth in the world, thumped Malaysia 7-0 in their opening game while Pakistan, ranked 13, went down fighting 0-1 to Germany.

The men in green were held by Malaysia 1-1 in their next game, while Netherlands were beaten 4-1 by Germany.

Pakistan’s Ammad Butt who had been given a one-match ban suspension before the game against Malaysia, took the field against Netherlands today.

Butt’s suspension was overturned on Sunday. However, captain Mohammad Rizwan Senior has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a fractured finger.