SALALAH: Pakistan beat Japan 3-2 yesterday in the Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2023 to reach the tournament’s semifinal while also qualifying for this year’s Junior  World Cup in Malaysia.

Pakistan will take on World Cup hosts Malaysia on Wednesday in the semifinal.

Abdul Wahab scored twice while Arbaaz Ahmed netted the first goal to give Pakistan a thrilling win over the opponents in their final encounter in Pool A.

Japan secured an early in the second minute of the game, through Kompi Yoshida on a penalty corner and ended the first quarter with a 1-0 lead.

Arbaaz found the equaliser in the 23rd minute on a penalty corner before Wahab put the Green Shirts ahead with a field goal in the 30th.

In the third quarter, the game witnessed a see-saw contest between the two sides as Japan nullified Pakistan’s lead through Hota Yamada in the 38th minute while Wahab was quick to restore the one-goal cushion.

With the win, Pakistan have also confirmed their spot in the FIH Men’s Hockey Asia Cup to be held in Kuala Lumpur from December 5 to 16, 2023.

Besides the Men in Green, India also qualified for the event’s semifinal from Pool A and will face South Korea, who finished second in Pool B.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 31 2023

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