Karuna hits ton, rescues Sri Lanka

Antwerp, July 3 (PTI)

The Pakistan men's hockey team slumped to a new low today as it failed to qualify for next year's Rio Olympics after suffering a shocking 1-0 defeat to Ireland in the World League Semifinals here today.

Pakistan's loss in the first play-off match for the fifth to eighth spots means they cannot finish above the seventh position in this tournament and the Olympic spots for 12 teams from both World League Semifinals cannot go below the sixth place.

This was the last chance for Pakistan to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games, after losing the Asian Games final to India in Incheon last year.

Pakistan had also failed to feature among the 12 teams at the 2014 World Cup, an event they have won more times than any other country.

"This is a sad day for Pakistan hockey," said captain Muhammad Imran as he walked away from the pitch shaking his head in disbelief.

"We had chances, but failed to convert them. We were misfiring throughout the tournament," said Imran.

"I feel sorry for the hockey lovers in Pakistan who always expect a lot from the national team."

For Ireland, who won a silver medal in the 1908 Olympics behind England, this was their first victory in 11 encounters against Pakistan.

The match-winner by Alan Sothern in the 46th minute kept alive Ireland's dreams of making their first Olympic hockey appearance in a century.

Failing to convert their territorial domination into goals, Pakistan became more error-prone in their desperation to get the equaliser.

With just a minute and a half left, they took off their goalkeeper to put in an additional striker on the pitch, but the move came too late. Pakistan now play France, who lost 4-1 to Malaysia, for the 7th place.