Hockey: Ireland sink Pakistan’s hopes for 2016 Olympics

ANTWERP: Ireland team beat Pakistan hockey team by 1-0 in the World Hockey League play-offs on Friday, sinking hopes of the three-time Olympic champions to participate in the 2016 Summer Olympic games in Rio De Janerio.

The loss is a major setback for the national team since it is the first time that it has failed to qualify for the mega event.

Irishman Alan Sothern scored the only goal of the match in the fourth quarter, sealing Ireland's berth in the fifth-place play-off on Sunday.

Once a powerhouse in world hockey, Pakistan also failed to qualify for the World Cup last year for the first time in the history of the event.

Pakistan will now play its match for the 7th-8th spots on Sunday, the concluding day of the World Hockey League event.