Pakistan Beat Japan 4-3 to End 16-Year World Cup Win Drought
- Pakistan defeated Japan 4-3 in a thrilling 9th-16th place classification match.
- The victory was Pakistan’s first at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup since beating Spain in 2010.
- Rana Waheed Ashraf scored twice, while Muhammad Hammadudin and Hannan Shahid added a goal each.
- Pakistan overturned an early 2-0 deficit to complete an impressive comeback.
Pakistan ended a 16-year wait for a victory at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup after producing a spirited comeback to beat Japan 4-3 in their classification match at Wagener Stadium on Saturday.
The Green Shirts, appearing at the World Cup for the first time after an eight-year absence, had endured a difficult main-round campaign. Pakistan suffered defeats against England and arch-rivals India, while their only point came from a 3-3 draw against Wales.
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Those results ended Pakistan’s hopes of progressing to the next stage, sending them into the 9th-16th place classification matches, where they faced Japan.
Japan made the stronger start and quickly put Pakistan under pressure. Hyota Yamada and Kaito Tanaka scored during the opening quarter to give Japan an early 2-0 advantage.
Pakistan began their recovery in the second quarter when Rana Waheed Ashraf found the net to reduce the deficit to 2-1. The score remained unchanged heading into halftime.
The Green Shirts transformed the contest after the break. Ashraf scored his second goal just two minutes into the third quarter to bring Pakistan level before Muhammad Hammadudin struck a minute later, completing the turnaround and putting Pakistan 3-2 ahead.
Japan responded almost immediately as Koji Yamasaki scored two minutes later to restore parity at 3-3.
Pakistan, however, regained the advantage through Hannan Shahid, whose goal in the 40th minute put the Green Shirts 4-3 ahead. The strike ultimately proved decisive as neither team managed to score again before the final whistle.
The victory carried added significance for Pakistan as it marked their first win at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in 16 years. Their previous World Cup victory came against Spain, whom they defeated 2-1 in the 2010 edition.
Pakistan did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup and returned for the 2018 tournament but were unable to register a victory. After missing the following edition, their 4-3 win over Japan finally brought an end to the long wait for a World Cup triumph.
