Spain beat Pakistan 5-1 as Green Shirts remain winless in Pro League

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan slumped to a ninth successive defeat in the FIH Pro League after Spain handed them a 5-1 loss in their league-stage match at the Belfius Hockey Arena on Sunday.

Spain went in front in the 11th minute when Alvarez Nicolas opened the scoring in the first quarter. Pakistan had a chance to respond in the second quarter through a penalty corner but could not make it count, while Spain extended their advantage before halftime with two goals from Cunill Pepe to lead 3-0.

Pakistan reduced the deficit in the third quarter when Abu Mahmood scored in the 43rd minute. The Green Shirts also won two more penalty corners in that period but were unable to convert either chance, allowing Spain to carry a 3-1 lead into the final quarter.

Spain finished strongly, adding two more goals through Reyne Merc and Alvarez Nicolas to complete the 5-1 result. The victory was Spain’s first of the campaign and lifted them to seventh place with five points and a goal difference of -16. Pakistan remained at the bottom of the table without a point after nine matches, with a goal difference of -30.