By Shahid Khan.
Pakistan put up an impressive performance to edge Japan 4-3 in the semi-final of the FIH Hockey World Cup qualifier taking place in Ismailia, Egypt.
The win has guaranteed the Green Shirts a place in the World Cup and marks their return to the global event after absence of eight years.
Pakistan found themselves trailing 3-1 with less than 8 minutes of the match remaining and being condemned to bronze match against Malaysia. However, they clawed their way back into the match with 3 quick goals to lead 4-3, thus snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
Earlier Ammad given his side an early lead in the ninth minute with an impressive field goal. The lead, which remained intact till the end of the first quarter, was neutralised in the second quarter (21st minute) when Japan’s Ryoma Ooka scored a field goal.
In an inspiring show, Japan took control of the match in the penultimate quarter when Shota Yamada (35th minute) and Yamasaki Koji (40th minute) struck in quick succession to take a solid 3-1 lead.
However, in a sensational comeback in the final quarter, Pakistan’s Abu Bakr Mahmood and Sufyan Khan both converted their penalty corners with direct attempts and Afraz scored a goal each in the 52nd, 55th and 57th minute, respectively, to reclaim the lead that remained intact till the final whistle.
Just two minutes before the end of the match, Japan lost a golden opportunity to equalise but their captain, Fujishima saw his penalty stroke saved by Ali Raza.
Pakistan have put up an impressive show in the qualifier, winning all of their group matches against China (5-4), Malaysia (5-3) and Austria (4-2) and Japan (4-3)
Greenshirts will now face England the only other team with 4 victories in the tournament — who routed Malaysia 7-1 in the other last-four match — in the final of the qualifying event at the same venue on Saturday. While Japan will play Malaysia in the bronze medal match, winner of which will also qualify for the World Cup to be hosted by Belgium and The Netherlands in August.
Once a giant force in global hockey and four-time World Cup winners, Pakistan had failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup held in The Hague, Netherlands, and finished poorly in 12th position in the 16-nation edition staged in Bhubaneswar, India in 2018. Pakistan had also failed to qualify for the last 2023 World Cup held in Odisha, India.
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Shahid Khan is senior hockey journalist who has covered all major hockey tournaments since 1999 for media outlets including BBC Asian Network, Reuters TV and Eastern Eye.