Argentina

ROTTERDAM: Former champions Pakistan failed to latch on to a late second half lead and were held to a 1-1 draw by Argentina to virtually go out of the reckoning for a semi-final berth in the Junior World Cup hockey on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, Pakistan took a 58th minute lead to make it 1-0, only to see Argentina equalise four minutes later.

Pakistan are now on four points and only a miracle can see them through to the last four.

In the match, which the Latin American champion could have easily won, Argentina have only themselves to blame for the result. They wasted a stroke in the 7th minute and 10 penalty corners and failed to earn full three points and set themselves up for a semi-final spot.

They now have eight points with a match against Australia, which they must win to be in the running to enter the semi-finals.

Both the teams had their chances in the first half. If Argentina squandered a penalty stroke, Pakistan saw a deflection from Adnan Zakir hit the cross piece.

Argentina were relentlessly earning penalty corners but it was Pakistan who took the lead in the 58th minute when Khalid Mahmood converted.

Argentina fired in the equaliser in the 62nd minute off their 11th penalty corner when Lucas Vila converted.

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