Report: ANI Sports
AMSTELVEEN — Pakistan ended a 16-year wait for a victory at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup with a thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Japan in their classification match at the Wagener Stadium.
Japan made a strong start and took a 2-0 lead through Hyota Yamada and Kaito Tanaka. Pakistan responded strongly as Rana Waheed Ashraf scored twice to level the match, while Muhammad Hammaduddin put Pakistan ahead 3-2.
Japan equalised through Koji Yamasaki, but Hannan Shahid scored the decisive goal in the 41st minute to give Pakistan a 4-3 lead. The Green Shirts held on in the closing stages despite strong pressure from Japan.
Associated Press of Pakistan +1
Rana Waheed Ashraf scored two goals for Pakistan, while Muhammad Hammaduddin and Hannan Shahid scored one each.
The victory marked Pakistan’s first World Cup win since their 2-1 victory over Spain in the 2010 edition. However, Pakistan had already been eliminated from the race for the tournament’s second phase after their earlier results.
