The ‘Red Sticks’ will play the pass to the semifinals against Australia
MADRID, 22 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish men’s field hockey team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in India after beating Malaysia in the ‘shoot-outs’ of their round of 16 match (2-2, 4-3 in the ‘shoot-outs’ outs’), for which he returns to the penultimate round of a World Championship for the first time since 2014.
The ‘Red Sticks’, who succumbed to India (2-0) and England (0-4) and beat Wales (5-1) in the group stage, faced the ‘crossover’ as third in the group and forced to win to stay alive in the World Cup tournament.
After two first quarters without goals, with Max Caldas’ men dominating in the first period but without being able to materialize their chances, it was the Asian team that managed to take the lead through Faizal Saari (min.40).
However, just a minute later Marc Miralles equalized with a penalty ‘stroke’, and another minute later, at minute 42, Xavi Gispert turned the game around after a great assist from Pere Amat to go ahead into the final quarter.
Despite being disallowed as soon as the set began due to a back stick from Saari, the Malaysian team managed to make it 2-2 thanks to Shello Silverius in the 49th minute.
Spain tried to avoid the ‘shoot-outs’ in three penalties-corners that failed to materialize, but everything had to be resolved in the fateful shootout. In it, Mario Marín became a hero by stopping three of the shots to seal the pass to the quarterfinals, where the ‘Red Sticks’ will face Australia next Tuesday.