Azlan Shah Cup
IPOH: Pakistan and Japan emerged victorious in their respective matches on Wednesday, securing their spots in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final to be held at the Azlan Shah Stadium on May 11.
With both teams topping the table with 10 points each from four matches, anticipation for the final showdown is running high.
Pakistan showcased their resilience throughout the tournament, clinching three wins and a draw, while Japan mirrored their success with an identical record.
In Wednesday’s matches, Pakistan defeated Canada 5-4, while Japan secured a 2-1 victory over hosts Malaysia.
With Malaysia and New Zealand following closely behind in third and fourth place with six points each, the competition remains fierce among the six participating nations. South Korea currently holds three points, while Canada, without a single win, trails at the bottom of the standings.
Pakistan’s journey to the final has been marked by impressive comebacks, exemplified by their recent triumph over Canada.
Despite trailing by two goals early in the match, Pakistan rallied back to secure a well-deserved victory.
Abu Bakr Mahmood’s back-to-back penalty corner goals in the 28th and 29th minutes ignited Pakistan’s resurgence, with Arshad Liaquat, Ashraf Waheed Rana, and Ghazanfar Ali further extending their lead.
Canada put up a valiant effort, with Sean Davis and Avijot Butter narrowing the deficit to 5-4 with their goals.
The closely contested history between Pakistan and Canada reflects the intensity of their encounters, with Pakistan holding the upper hand in past meetings.
Both teams’ coaches commended their players’ performances, acknowledging the challenges and intensity of the match.
Pakistan’s head coach, Roelant Oltmans, credited Canada for their strong performance, while Canadian coach Patrick Tshutshani praised his team’s commitment despite the tough competition.
As anticipation builds for the final, both teams remain focused on delivering their best performances.
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