Pakistan Rangers scored twice in the second half to beat China’s Guangdong hockey team 3-1 in the fifth match of an international series at the Sports City Hockey Stadium in Narowal.
The teams were level at half-time after a tightly contested opening two quarters, but Pakistan Rangers found their breakthrough in the 37th minute through Muhammad Sami, who converted a penalty corner.
Guangdong responded three minutes later when Fong Xiang Xuan scored from a penalty corner in the 40th minute to bring the match level at 1-1.
Pakistan Rangers regained the lead in the 45th minute as Aamir Sohail scored a field goal to put his side 2-1 ahead.
Muhammad Hammad then sealed the victory with another field goal in the 55th minute, giving Pakistan Rangers a two-goal cushion in the final quarter.
The match attracted a large crowd at the Narowal venue, with supporters turning out in force to cheer on the teams.
Federal Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal and Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Mohiuddin Ahmed Wani attended the match as guests of honour.
Wani thanked Iqbal and the people of Narowal for supporting the successful staging of the international event.
He said the enthusiastic reception from local hockey fans offered encouragement for the future of the sport in Pakistan.
The fixture was the fifth meeting of the international series involving Pakistan Rangers and Guangdong, with the hosts producing a strong second-half performance to secure victory after a goalless first half.
Pakistan Rangers’ three goals came from Sami’s penalty corner, Sohail’s field effort and Hammad’s late strike, while Fong Xiang Xuan scored Guangdong’s only goal.