ISLAMABAD: South Korea’s senior side ended Pakistan’s winning run with a 6-2 victory in the fourth and final Test at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium on Friday, although Pakistan had already clinched the series 3-0.

With the series decided in their favour, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) fielded its U-21 side in the final match to give its youngsters valuable exposure against South Korea’s senior team.

South Korea made a flying start, scoring twice through penalty corners in the opening five minutes. Rim Jinkang converted in the third minute before Kim Hyeonhong doubled the lead two minutes later.

Pakistan reduced the deficit in the second quarter when Muhammad Ahmed scored a field goal in the 19th minute. South Korea, however, maintained its 2-1 advantage at halftime.

The visitors dominated the third quarter, scoring three successive penalty-corner goals. Lim Dohyun struck twice, in the 37th and 40th minutes, while Kim Hyeonhong added another in the 42nd to give South Korea a commanding 5-1 lead.

Pakistan pulled one back in the 43rd minute through Ghulam Mustafa’s field goal, but South Korea restored its four-goal advantage when Kim Yong Bok scored in the 54th minute to complete the 6-2 victory.

Pakistan had secured the four-match series after winning the first three Tests, prompting the PHF to hand an opportunity to its U-21 players in the final game. The junior side had recently returned from Oman, where it swept the hosts 3-0 in a series.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026