KUALA LUMPUR: Spain turned on the heat in the third quarter to outplay Pakistan 4-2 in the quarter-finals of the Junior World Cup (JWC) at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
Pakistan started well and took the lead through Hannan Shahid in the 12th minute.
They kept pressing hard but failed to increase the lead.
The Red Sticks came alive in the third quarter and scored three goals through Pol Carbe Verdiell (37th minute), Aleix Bozal (38th) and Pablo Espino (41st).
Two minutes later, Pakistan narrowed the deficit through Sufyan Khan off a penalty corner. But Spain Verdiell settled the score with Spain's fourth goal in the 45th minute.
Spain coach Oriol Ouig Torras said they did not have a good start but slowly picked up during the match.
"We came back strongly in the third quarter to score three goals in four minutes. It was the turning point of the match, and I am very happy with the win against Pakistan, who gave us a good fight.
Pakistan coach Roelant Oltmans said: "Spain had better ball possession, while we conceded too many penalty corners.
"We also lost the services of goalkeeper Ali Raza, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
"Our second keeper Abdul Rafay is an inexperienced player," said Oltmans.
Spain will face France in the semi-finals on Thursday.