AMSTELVEEN (Netherlands): Jose Basterra smashed a brilliant hat-trick to help Spain edge hosts Netherlands 4-3 in a thrilling semi-final of the FIH Men’s World Cup at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Friday.
Spain reached the third final of a World Cup as the Netherlands, the former three-time world champions, failed in front of the home crowd.
After the Netherlands took lead in the 21st minute through Bijen Koen, Spain came back strongly to score four goals as Basterra struck in 40th, 49th and 54th minutes. Cunill Pepe added one in the 50th.
Though the hosts tried their best to make a comeback by scoring through Jip Janssen (56th) and Joep de Mol (59th), it proved too late in the end.
Earlier on Friday, Pakistan beat South Africa 4-3 in a penalty shootout to win the 11-12 classification match in Amstelveen.
The match of the 16-nation showpiece was tied 4-4 at the end of regulation time.
South Africa began aggressively as Del Lora Trevor scored in the eighth minute while Kasim Dayan added another in the 18th minute to give their side a 2-0 lead.
Pakistan, however, responded strongly with back-to-back goals.
Afraz opened Pakistan’s account in the 21st minute, followed by a field goal from Mohammad Imad just a minute later to level the score.
In the 32nd minute, Rana Waheed Ashraf produced a brilliant finish to put Pakistan ahead 3-2.
South Africa’s Kasim Mustafa then scored a brace in the 40th and 55th minutes to turn the game around and restore a 4-3 lead for his team.
In the dying moments, Mohammad Hammad Uddin scored to make it 4-4 as the match extended to a shootout.
Pakistan goalkeeper Waqar made two crucial saves to help Pakistan win.
In other matches held on Friday, Australia beat England 2-0 in their 5-6 position match; New Zealand downed Ireland 6-3 in the 9-10 position clash; France outgunned Japan 3-1 in the 13-14 classification tie while Wales edged Malaysia 2-1 in a shootout in their 15-16 position game.
