Hockey Junior Asia Cup: Pakistan, India march closer to final showdown

After winning four successive group-stage matches, Pakistan junior hockey team head coach Qamar Ibrahim is confident that his charges will do well against a strong Japan team in the semi-final of the Junior Asia Cup being held in Muscat, Oman.

"Well, to be honest, Japan is better than India as the way they played with India is remarkable but we are confident to give our more than 100 percent against them to qualify for the final," Qamar told Nukta from Muscat.

The semi-final between the Group B winners Pakistan and Group A runners-up Japan will be held on Tuesday (tomorrow).

In the other semi-final Group A winners India will face Group B runners-up Malaysia.

The achievement has also put Pakistan in the next year's Junior World Cup in India as top six teams will progress to the global event.

Following one-sided wins against China and Bangladesh Pakistan went on to conquer hosts Oman 7-0 and Malaysia 4-1 to finish as group champions with 12 points.

In victory against Oman, Rana Waleed struck twice while skipper Hannan Shahid, Abdul Qayyum, Nadeem Khan and Sufyan Khan scored one goal apiece.

Pakistan's game against Malaysia was tough but the Green-shirts played with attacking mindset to force the oppositions to make mistakes in the area which paid dividends.

Sufyan Khan emerged as hero with his second hat-trick in the event. The drag-flicker had scored his first against Bangladesh earlier in the event. He scored two on penalty corner and one from penalty stroke.

Abdul Qayyum netted the other goal. For Malaysia Adam Ashraf landed the lone goal.

Qamar said that Pakistan did well against Malaysia which offered some resistance.

"Alhamdulillah team performed better in this match," said Qamar, also a former Olympian.

"If I am not wrong, I must appreciate the efforts of the players as they improved game by game and in this crucial encounter against Malaysia they showed a responsible attitude and their efforts are remarkable. I must also appreciate the efforts of team management as they are working hard on devising plans and getting results in every game," Qamar said.

Qamar, however, said that they will have to bring in more accuracy in goal area.

"We are doing missing in goal area and here we need to cover it and through video sessions and counselling we are confident that we will overcome this issue and will perform well in the semis," Qamar said.

Japan, having finished with nine points following a 3-2 loss against India, have played some good hockey in the entire event.

Japan started the journey with a crushing 11-0 win over Chinese Taipei in their opener. However, despite playing so well they were unlucky not to beat holders India as the latter earned a 3-2 win in the end. Japan then defeated former champions South Korea 2-0 before inflicting a crushing 9-1 defeat on Thailand in their last group show to finish as runners-up.

Rival players in action during the match between India and Korea.AHF

India, record four-time champions, has had another fine event so far. Although they had to face some troubles at certain stages but they were seen overcoming their flaws and blasted their way into the semi-finals with a few heavy wins.

India had a dream start by whipping Thailand 11-0. They then registered a hard-earned 3-2 win against Japan before demolishing Chinese Taipei 16-0 which was also the heaviest win of the ten-team event.

India then defeated South Korea 8-1. India have scored the highest number of 38 goals so far, conceding just three. Pakistan and Japan have scored 24 goals each with Pakistan conceding three and Japan four goals.

India-Pakistan final chance

Both India and Pakistan are more likely to play in the December 4 final. India may easily dispose of Malaysia in the semi-finals. However, Pakistan may face tough time from Japan. Both teams are in great neck and it would be seen how they play in what could be a high voltage game in the semi-final on Tuesday.

Both India and Pakistan faced each other in the final five times. However, India emerged successful for four times and Pakistan just once.

In the finals held in 2004, 2015 and 2023 India downed Pakistan to claim titles while Pakistan defeated India 5-4 in penalty shootout in the 1996 edition final in Singapore.