LAHORE: Malaysia defe­ated Pakistan 3-2 in their U-18 Asia Hockey Cup match in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Sunday, with Dheeresh Gunaseelan scoring twice.

Dheeresh put Malaysia ahead through penalty-corners in the 11th and 15th minutes before Muhammad Isyraf extended the lead with a field goal in the 27th minute to make it 3-0.

Pakistan staged a late fightback as Muzammal Saeed converted a penalty-corner in the 42nd minute. Mohammad Aslam then reduced the deficit with a field goal in the 60th minute, but Pakistan could not find an equaliser.

Pakistan had opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory over China and will now face Bangladesh in their final group match on June 3.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026