Pakistan’s junior hockey team on Wednesday defeated China’s Guangdong 5-2 in the six-match friendly Test series at the International Hockey Stadium in Gojra.
The match, played at the Olympic Village, was organised as part of efforts to promote Pakistan-China friendship and to strengthen sporting ties between the two countries.
Pakistan made an impressive start and maintained pressure on their opponents throughout the contest, taking a 3-2 lead into half-time before scoring twice more to seal an emphatic victory.
Toba Tek Singh Deputy Commissioner Maham Asif Malik, District Police Officer Akhlaq Tarar, PHF Director of Domestic and High Performance Tahir Zaman and Director Administration Col (redt) Nasir Akhunzada also witnessed the match.
The series is aimed at strengthening sporting relations between Pakistan and China while providing players with valuable match experience against international opposition.
Guangdong have also faced several Pakistani departmental teams during their visit. Rangers recorded a 3-1 victory over the Chinese side while Mari Energies defeated the visitors 5-2. Customs secured a narrow 3-2 win.
Pakistan Navy also beat Guangdong 3-1 at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad, while the Chinese team defeated Pakistan Army 4-2 in a shootout after a closely contested encounter.
The fixtures have provided domestic sides and junior players with opportunities to test themselves against foreign oppositions as the PHF seeks to revive hockey in Pakistan.
The country was once among the dominant force in international hockey, winning three Olympic gold medals and four World Cup titles. However, Pakistan have struggled to maintain those standards in recent years and have fallen behind leading nations.
The PHF is now making efforts to strengthen grassroots development, improve domestic competitions and create clearer pathways for emerging players to progress to the national team.
The series against Guangdong is part of those efforts with regular competitive fixtures expected to help young players gain experience and contribute to the long-term development of Pakistan hockey.