AMSTELVEEN (Netherlands): Pakistan made a comeback to defeat Japan 4-3 in their seesaw classification match of the FIH Men’s World Cup at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Saturday.
Japan got off to an aggressive start in the pool ‘G’ game, taking the lead through Hyota Yamada in the seventh minute. Kaito Tanaka extended the advantage to 2-0 in the 15th minute.
Pakistan responded strongly in the second quarter as Rana Waheed Ashraf scored in the 22nd minute to pull one back, before netting his second in the 32nd minute to make it 2-2.
A minute later, in the 33rd minute, Hammaduddin Mohammad found the net to put Pakistan ahead 3-2.
Japan equalised in the 36th minute through Koji Yamasaki. However, Pakistan held their nerve as Shahid Hannan scored the decisive goal in the 41st to give his team a 4-3 lead.
Japan pressed hard to equalise in the closing stages but Pakistan defended well to preserve the slim lead.
Former four-time world champions Pakistan, who are competing in a World Cup after eight years, failed to qualify for the second phase of the global event after losing the opening pool-stage matches to England and arch-rivals India.
In another pool ‘G’ classification match held on Saturday, New Zealand outplayed Wales 7-2 in Amstelveen while the Netherlands defeated India 3-1 in their pool ‘E’ clash at the same venue.
Late on Friday, Australia and Belgium played a 1-1 draw in their pool ‘F’ match at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre.
Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2026
