AMSTELVEEN: Pakistan ended a 16-year wait for victory at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup on Saturday after defeating Japan 4-3 in the 9th to 16th place classification match at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen.
The victory marked Pakistan’s first win at the sport’s biggest global tournament since the 2010 World Cup, when the Green Shirts defeated Spain 2-1.
Pakistan had returned to the World Cup after an eight-year absence but endured a difficult campaign in the main round. The team suffered defeats against England and its arch-rivals, while earning a solitary point after drawing 3-3 with Wales.
As a result, Pakistan failed to qualify for the next round of the tournament and moved into the 9th to 16th place classification matches, where they faced Japan.
Japan take early control
Japan made a strong start to the match and scored twice during the opening quarter.
Hyota Yamada opened the scoring before Kaito Tanaka doubled Japan’s advantage, putting Pakistan under early pressure.
However, the Green Shirts gradually worked their way back into the contest. Rana Waheed Ashraf scored in the second quarter to reduce the deficit and give Pakistan renewed hope.
Japan went into the halftime break with a narrow 2-1 lead, but the match changed dramatically after the restart.
Pakistan stage an impressive comeback
Ashraf scored his second goal just two minutes into the third quarter to bring Pakistan level at 2-2.
The momentum then shifted quickly in Pakistan’s favour as Muhammad Hammadudin found the net in the following minute, completing the Green Shirts’ comeback and giving them a 3-2 lead.
Japan, however, responded almost immediately. Koji Yamasaki scored two minutes later to level the match at 3-3, setting up a tense battle between the two sides.
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Hannan Shahid scores decisive goal
Pakistan eventually regained the lead through Hannan Shahid, who scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 40th minute.
Neither Pakistan nor Japan managed to score again, and the Green Shirts held on to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory.
The result is particularly significant for Pakistan, which had endured a long wait for success at the World Cup.
First World Cup win since 2010
Pakistan’s victory over Japan ended a 16-year drought at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup.
The Green Shirts last won a World Cup match in 2010, when they defeated Spain 2-1. Pakistan failed to qualify for the 2014 edition and then returned in 2018 but remained without a victory.
After missing the next edition and staying away from the tournament for eight years, Pakistan finally made its World Cup return this year.
Although the team was unable to advance from the main round, the hard-fought win against Japan provides a positive moment in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
The 4-3 victory also ensures that Pakistan’s World Cup journey continues in the classification stage as the team looks to finish the tournament on a stronger note.
