Japan thumped Pakistan 2-1 at the four-nation International Festival of Hockey at Melbourne's State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday.

With their second consecutive loss against Japan, the Green Shirts finished the tournament in the fourth spot, a press release by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said.

In the first match, Pakistan received their worst-ever defeat in hockey against Australia when they lost 1-9 to the hosts. On Saturday, New Zealand beat Pakistan 3-2 in what was the latter's third successive defeat.

The match for the third place started at an electric pace with three shots on the goal within the first four minutes.

Lapses in Pakistan's defence gave Japan ample opportunities to strike in the first quarter. Ajaz Ahmed scored the first goal for Pakistan by firing it in the small gap between the goal keeper and the near post in the 13th minute.

Pakistan's joy was short-lived however, as Japan's Kenta Tanaka came back with vengeance in the very next minute to equalise the score.

In the third quarter, Pakistan missed three good chances to score. In the last three minutes, Kazuma Murata struck the final goal to confirm that Pakistan would finish the tournament with a wooden spoon.

Finally, Pakistan missed the golden chance to put it even via a penalty corner in the last couple of minutes.

The final of the tournament is being played between hosts Australia and New Zealand.

Scorers

Pakistan: Ajaz Ahmed (13')

Japan: Kenta Tanaka (14') and Kazuma Murata (57')