LAHORE: Pakistan put up a powerful efficiency to edge Japan 4-3 within the semi-final of the FIH Hockey World Cup qualifier on the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium in Egypt on Friday.
The win has assured the Inexperienced Shirts a spot within the World Cup and marks their return to the worldwide occasion after eight years. The match shall be hosted collectively by Belgium and the Netherlands in August.
The Pakistan staff, led by Ammad Butt, was trailing 3-1 within the third quarter of the match towards Japan, when it smashed three objectives within the final 9 minutes of the ultimate quarter to edge forward 4-3, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
Ammad gave his facet an early lead within the ninth minute with a powerful subject aim. The lead, which remained intact till the tip of the primary quarter, was neutralized within the second quarter (twenty first minute) when Japan’s Ryoma Ooka scored a subject aim.
In an inspiring present, Japan took management of the match within the penultimate quarter when Shota Yamada (thirty fifth minute) and Yamasaki Koji (fortieth minute) struck in fast succession to take a strong 3-1 lead.
Nonetheless, in a sensational comeback within the closing quarter, Pakistan’s Abu Bakr Mahmood, Sufyan Khan and Afraz scored a aim every within the 52nd, fifty fifth and 57th minute, respectively, to reclaim the lead that remained intact till the ultimate whistle.
Simply two minutes earlier than the tip of the match, Japan misplaced a golden alternative to equalize when Fujishima Raiki missed a penalty-stroke.
Pakistan have put up a powerful present within the qualifier, profitable all of their group matches towards China (5-4), Malaysia (5-3) and Austria (4-2) and Japan (4-3).
Ammad and firm will now face England — who routed Malaysia 7-1 within the different last-four match — within the closing of the qualifying occasion on the identical venue on Saturday.
As soon as an enormous pressure in world hockey and four-time World Cup winners, Pakistan had did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup held in The Hague, Netherlands, and completed poorly in twelfth place within the 16-nation version staged in Bhubaneswar, India in 2018. Pakistan had additionally did not qualify for the 2023 World Cup held within the Indian metropolis of Odisha.
