By Shahid Khan
Spirited Pakistan edged past France on penalty shootout 3-2 to qualify for the FIH Nations Cup final to meet New Zealand on Saturday.
Pakistan goalkeeper Muneeb Ur-Rehman blocked three France chances, while Rana Waheed Ashraf, Hannan Shahid and Afraz struck for Pakistan to clinch a highly rewarding victory.
The two teams remained inseparable after enthralling four quarters as the scoreline was tied at 3-3 at the full time.
The high-stakes clash got off to a nervy start as the two sides barred each other from scoring the opener in the first quarter. Pakistan got one penalty corner, while France were unable to convert four that they had forced.
The Blues eventually broke the shackles in the second quarter through Xavier Esmenjaud, who breached Pakistan’s defence to score a sensational field goal in the 25th minute.
France doubled their lead just four minutes into the third quarter through their mascular penalty ace marksman, Victory Charlet.
Pakistan then staged an astounding comeback by netting three goals within five minutes to head into the final quarter with a 3-2 lead.
Afraz netted Pakistan’s first goal after a precise assist by Rana Waheed Ashraf in the seventh minute of the penultimate quarter.
The green shirts then survived a major scare when the referee ruled out France’s penalty corner after a VAR review.
Seconds later, Pakistan were awarded a penalty corner, courtesy of a foul from a French defender.
The penalty corner was successfully converted by Sufyan Khan, drawing the two sides level at 2-2.
The Greenshirts shirts, fuelled with momentum, secured the lead through Muhammad Hammadudin fantastic taken deflection, which remained intact until the conclusion of the penultimate quarter.
The Greenshirts then tried to prevent France from scoring the equaliser by passing each other until a foul from their defender with just three minutes of action left gave the Blues a crucial penalty corner, which Charlet commandingly converted to neutralise Pakistan’s lead.
France, who had topped Pool A, were favourites on paper, but Pakistan’s youthful energy and determination proved too strong in the end.
Pakistan will be hoping to avenge their defeat against the Kiwi team earlier in the tournament as well as the team which denied them qualification to the Paris Olympics.
The other semi final was also decided on a penalty shoot-out with New Zealand overcoming South Korea (4-2) after regulation time had ended 2-2.
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