Asia Cup Hockey 2022: Pakistan out of World Cup race after 2-3 defeat against Japan

Published May 26, 2022
Pakistan and Japan on the field for their Asia Hockey Cup 2022 match at GBK Sports Complex Hockey Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia, May 26. — Picture via PHF Facebook
Pakistan and Japan on the field for their Asia Hockey Cup 2022 match at GBK Sports Complex Hockey Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia, May 26. — Picture via PHF Facebook

Pakistan's hopes to enter the super four stage of the Asia Hockey Cup 2022 and qualify for the 2023 Hockey World Cup suffered a big blow as the Men in Green conceded a 2-3 defeat at the hands of Japan in a closely-fought Pool A match at Jakarta's GBK Sports Complex Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

Japan, who on Tuesday stunned defending champions India 5-2, scored two goals in the first quarter to put Pakistan under pressure.

Pakistan made a strong comeback in the second quarter when in the 23rd minute, Ijaz Ahmed scored a scintillating field goal. But four minutes later Japan scored the third goal. Pakistan found another breakthrough in the 30th minute, thanks to a well-converted penalty corner by Mubashir Ali.

Both teams, however, failed to score any more goals in the last minutes of the game.

Pakistan, who scored a last-minute goal to draw 1-1 against India in their tournament opener, registered a thumping 13-0 win against hosts Indonesia on Tuesday.

Yet, the visitors finished at number three as India claimed the second spot on the points table after thrashing Indonesia 16-0 in their last pool game. That means Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia have sealed the FIH World Cup 2023 berths.

India has qualified as hosts while Pakistan are out of the race. The Asia Cup served as a World Cup qualifier.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.