Pakistan thump Malaysia to reach Junior Hockey Asia Cup semi-finals
Pakistan Secures Semi-Final Spot in Junior Hockey Asia Cup with 4-1 Win Over Malaysia
Muscat: Pakistan’s junior hockey team delivered a stellar performance on Sunday, defeating Malaysia 4-1 in the 2024 Men’s Junior Hockey Asia Cup. The win not only secured their place in the tournament’s semi-finals but also confirmed their qualification for the Junior Hockey World Cup, set to take place in India next year.
The match, a battle between two undefeated Group B teams, saw Pakistan dominate from the outset. Sufiyan Khan, in remarkable form, opened the scoring just three minutes into the game, giving Pakistan a 1-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Malaysia responded in the second quarter, with Adam Ashraf Johari leveling the score in the 23rd minute. However, Pakistan regained control in the third quarter when Sufiyan struck again in the 35th minute to restore their lead. Abdul Qayyum added another goal in the final quarter, bringing the score to 3-1.
In the dying moments of the match, Sufiyan completed his hat-trick with a superb goal, sealing Pakistan’s commanding victory. This triumph marked Pakistan’s fourth consecutive win in the tournament, following earlier victories against China, Bangladesh, and Oman.
With a perfect record of 12 points from four games, Pakistan topped Group B to advance confidently into the semi-finals.
Pakistan Squad for the Junior Hockey Asia Cup:
- Goalkeepers: Ali Raza, Faizan Janjua
- Players: Sufiyan Khan, Aqeel Ahmed, Bilal Aslam, Nadeem Khan, Mohammad Zain, Wasim, Sami, Zakariya Hayat, Mohammad Imad, Hanan Shahid (Captain), Mughira, Rana Waleed, Hamza Fayaz, Basharat, Qayyum Dogar, Saifullah.
