FIH Hockey Nations Cup
Pakistan secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Japan in their second match of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup, held at Kuala Lumpur’s National Stadium on Monday. This win marked Pakistan’s first triumph in the eight-team tournament, boosting the Green Shirts’ morale after a challenging start.
The match began with an early breakthrough for Pakistan as Ghazanfar Ali put the team ahead by scoring in the first quarter. However, Japan quickly responded, with Kazumasa Matsumoto leveling the score to 1-1 less than a minute later. The Japanese side then surged ahead with a second goal from Koji Yamasaki, who found the net within two minutes, giving Japan a 2-1 lead.
The second quarter proved to be a tense and evenly matched period, with neither team managing to add to the scoreboard. Both sides displayed strong defensive efforts, keeping the scoreline steady heading into halftime.
The third quarter saw Pakistan’s vice-captain Waheed Ashraf Rana step up and score a vital goal to restore parity, leveling the match at 2-2. This crucial equalizer reignited Pakistan’s fighting spirit and set the stage for an intense final quarter.
In the decisive fourth quarter, Sufyan Khan delivered a crucial goal that ultimately decided the contest. His timely strike pushed Pakistan ahead 3-2, a lead the Green Shirts managed to hold onto until the final whistle. This goal not only secured the victory but also provided Pakistan with a significant boost in confidence for the remainder of the tournament.
Earlier, in their opening fixture, Pakistan played a thrilling 3-3 draw against hosts Malaysia. Despite leading for much of the game, Pakistan conceded late, resulting in a shared point.
The tournament, running from June 15 to June 21, is a key platform for promoting the elite FIH Hockey Pro League and features strong teams including Malaysia, France, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, and Wales.
Pakistan’s 20-member squad, announced earlier this month, is led by captain Imad Butt and vice-captain Waheed Ashraf Rana. Looking ahead, Pakistan is set to face New Zealand on Wednesday, June 18, at 3 pm PKT, a match that will be crucial in determining their progress in the Nations Cup.
