WEBDESK: Pakistan is all set to take on Japan today in a crucial Hockey Nations Cup group stage match at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. This encounter will be vital for Pakistan as they aim to secure a spot in the next round of the prestigious tournament.
The Hockey Nations Cup serves as a pathway to the FIH Pro League, and only the top-performing team will qualify. Pakistan will be looking to build on the momentum they gained in their opening match, where they staged a dramatic comeback to draw 3-3 against Malaysia.
In their first game of the Hockey Nations Cup, Pakistan gained an advantage in the first quarter, netting two goals. The early scores came from Nadeem Ahmad and Rehman Abdul, setting a strong tone for the game.
The Green Shirts showed dominance until the third quarter, preventing the hosts from reaching the goal post.
Malaysia staged a comeback in the fourth quarter with Saari Fitri and Azrai Abu Kamal scoring goals. With the game evenly poised, Pakistan’s Rana Waheed Ashraf added another goal, bringing the score to 3-2 in favour of his team.
But Malayisa fought back again as Holan Syed scored another goal in the last phase of the game, which levelled the game.
Pakistan, placed in Pool B, will now face Japan today and New Zealand on June 18.
That performance demonstrated Pakistan’s fighting spirit and gave fans hope for a strong showing against Japan. The upcoming fixture will be Pakistan’s second group match in Pool B, which also includes Canada and Malaysia.
With Japan also eyeing a top spot in the Hockey Nations Cup, today’s match is expected to be a tough battle. Pakistan’s coaching staff has stressed the importance of maintaining focus from the first whistle and avoiding early mistakes like those seen in their opening game.
The Hockey Nations Cup is not just about winning matches – it’s about earning the right to play in the elite FIH Pro League. With so much on the line, today’s clash between Pakistan and Japan will be one to watch.
Pakistan squad for Hockey Nations Cup:
Ammad Butt (captain), Rana Waheed (vice captain), Muneer-ur-Rehman, Abdullah Ishtiaq, Mohammad Abdullah, Mohammad Sufyan Khan, Abdul Manan, Hamad Anjum, Arshad Liaquat, Moeen Shakeel, Zakrya Hayat, Ghazanfar Ali, Salman Razaq, Junaid Manzoor, Afraz Khan, Abdul Rehman, Ahmed Nadeem and Mohibullah.
