Asian Champions Trophy: Pakistan pip Japan 2-1, eye mouth-watering final against India

Pakistan’s hockey team on Wednesday pulled off a major win when they downed Japan 2-1 to keep their semi-finals hopes alive in the Asian Champions Trophy being held at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir, China.

Ahmed Nadeem and Sufyan Khan struck in the tenth and 21st minute, respectively, to give a 2-0 lead to the Green-shirts. Raiki Fujishima landed a goal in the 28th minute for Japan.

Their maiden win, following two back-to-back drawn shows, helped Pakistan jump to the third spot on the six-team points table behind India, who qualified for the semi-finals with nine points after crushing Malaysia 8-1, their third straight win and South Korea. The Koreans beat China 3-2.

Pakistan in full flow

Pakistan drew the first blood with a superb field goal by Ahmad Nadeem. It was Ghazanfar Ali who set up the rally and fed Hannan Shahid who passed through the Japanese defence before feeding Ahmad, who did no mistake in putting Pakistan on the front.

In the 21st minute Pakistan secured penalty corner and Sufyan Khan made no mistake to beat gloveman Yosei Oba.

Pakistan's player (left) in action against JapanAsian Hockey Federation

Japan at this stage made frantic efforts to reduce the deficit and it was in the 27th minute when their captain Raiki Fujishima landed one off a short corner, driving the ball past Pakistan's goalkeeper Ishtiaq Abdullah Khan.

Pakistan's defence was put to test in the final quarter with Japan winning as many as 12 penalty corners. They made desperate attempts to find an equalizer but Pakistan held their nerves, and defended well. Their goalie Abdullah was also up to the task, padded away a couple of short corners to keep his team in the lead. The last six minutes remained tense, with Japan dominating the ball possession but Pakistan fought hard to hold on to the lead and seal the match with three points in their kitty.

Sufyan Khan, Pakistan’s penalty corner specialist, was happy with the win.

“Thanks God we won our first game and InshaAllah we will play final with India,” Sufyan said after the game.

“In the previous games we got too many cards and coach also told us if we reduce the same margin then we can win. I always have scored goals in tough time for the team and I will further improve my game,” said Sufyan.

Pakistan will now face China on Thursday at 3pm while on Saturday Pakistan will meet arch-rivals India in their last league game at 12:45 PST.

Pakistan-India may clash in final

As top four on the points table will progress to the semi-finals and there is the possibility of final between Pakistan and India.

According to the rules the summit finishers and No4 team will face each other in the semi-final while in the other semi-final No.2 and No.3 will contest.

Pakistan have a decent record against India as of the 180 matches which have been played so far between the two nations they have won 82 while in 66 India succeeded. However, in recent years India have been the more successful side.