KARACHI: Pakistan beat France 4-2 in their third match of the World Cup qualifiers at the Metropole Hockey Club in Lille, France, on Tuesday.
 
According to the information received here, the halftime score was 2-1 with Ali Akhtar opening the score for the favourites in the eighth minute through a field goal.

France restored parity in the 23rd minute through Frederic Soyez but two successful penalty-corner conversions by Sohail Abbas in the 26th and 37th minutes got Pakistan ahead again.

Pakistan’s fourth goal was also scored through a penalty-corner by Rehan Butt in the 55th minute. France’s second goal was scored in the 67th minute by Arnaud Becuwe.
 
In the day’s other matches, Japan beat Italy 3-0 while Poland beat Russia 2-1.

Pakistan are now heading the points table with nine points followed by Japan, who also have won all their matches but are behind due to a lesser goal average, France (four points) and Poland (four points).

Wednesday is a rest day.
Thursday’s fixtures: Poland v Italy; Japan v Pakistan; Russia v France.