Japan defeated Pakistan in the final match of the 30th Azlan Shah Hockey Cup and won the nail-biting match by 4:1 in the penalty shoot-out time and received a golden medal for the title of the cup.
Pakistan team played the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup final match on Saturday and got a silver medal for their performance and reaching the final match.
President Asif Ali Zardari in a congratulatory message for Pakistan’s hockey team player said showed excellent performance during all matches of the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup and the final match against Japan.
Asif Ali Zardari said it was a pleasure for the national hockey team to reach the final of the big tournament after a long time.
Zardari said It is hoped that the Pakistani hockey team will perform better in future matches as well.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the tea for putting up the fight. Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz said the Pakistan hockey team won the heart of the nation. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Akhter also wishes the hockey team on their performance.
Punjab Sports Minister announced Rs2 million for the hockey team. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also congratulated the team on their play against Japan.
Pakistan Hockey team coach praises players
Pakistan Hockey team coach praised the determination and the fight of the Pakistan hockey team players. Talking to a post-match ceremony, he said: “The way we played and the way players showed ourselves in the second half is commendable.”
Answering a question, about what he was expecting after the tournament, he said: “Couple of days off. Then we will be playing matches in the upcoming matches in the upcoming tournament.”
In the second, third, and fourth penalty shoot-out attempts, Japan scored four consecutive goals while Pakistan scored only one goal. Japan vs Pakistan 4:1
Pakistan vs Japan's final match time concluded with 2:2 and now the match will be decided as per the penalty shoot-out. Japan player scored the first goal in a penalty shoot-out. The Pakistani player slipped and was unable to score a goal. Japan vs Pakistan 1:0.
What is a penalty shootout on a hockey field?
A penalty shootout is a method used in field hockey to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament (or wins the tournament) following a tied game.
Rs2 million announced for the hockey team
Punjab Sports Minister Faisal Ayub announced Rs2 million for the Pakistan hockey team to reach the final of Azlan Shah Hockey Cup 2024.
He said the Pakistan Team played exceptionally in the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup final match.
Golden and Silver medals go to
Japan became the champions of the 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Pakistan lost to Japan in the penalty shoot-out stage.
The match between Pakistan and Japan was tied with 2-2 goals within the scheduled time. Japan won the cup by defeating Pakistan by 4-1 goals in the penalty shoot-out stage.
Japan's hockey team won the golden medal in the Azaln Shah Hockey Cup while the Pakistan team won the Silver medal in comparison to the previous Brown medal in the last cup.
PHF President Shehla Raza comments on the team’s performance
President PHF Shehla Raza and Secretary General Haider Hussain congratulated Pakistan Hockey for their excellent performance and silver medal in the event.
During the match, Pakistan received eight penalty corners, on which the Pakistan team could not take any advantage.
Imad Butt scored the only goal from Pakistan in the penalty shootout stage.
When will Pakistan team return to the country?
Pakistan hockey team will return to Pakistan on May 12.
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The game
Japan hockey team player scored the second goal for his team in the fourth quarter and now both teams' scoreboard is 2-2.
The third quarter has been kicked off. Pakistan hockey team player Abdur Rehman scored the second goal against Japan in the 37th minute in the third quarter of the final game. Pakistan vs Japan scoreboard 2-1.
Pakistan's hockey team scored its first goal against Japan in the third quarter of the game. Pakistan vs Japan scoreboard 1-1.
Pakistan hockey team player Hanan Shahid's father talking to SAMAA TV said Pakistan hockey team played exceptionally.
Pakistani hockey team player Ejaz Ahmed scored the first goal for Pakistan at 34 minutes.
Japan scored the first goal at 12 minutes against Pakistan. Half time of the nail-biting match had been completed and now Japan stood ahead of Pakistan with 1-0 on the scoreboard.
Pakistan team squad: Abdur Rehman, Hanan Shahid, Usamaa Bashir, Abdullah Ishtiqa, Ahmed Butt, Muhammad Abdullah, Moin Shakeel, Muhammad Razzaq, Ahtisham Aslam, Arshad Liaquat, Murtaza Yaqoob.
In other fixtures, Korea won the match against Canada with 4-1, while hosts Malaysia lost their match against New Zealand with 2-3 results.
This is the first time Pakistan has advanced to the tournament’s final since 2011 — after 13 years.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said Friday’s match with New Zealand in a draw, with both teams securing one point each.
“Pakistan has managed to make it to the finals with a total of 11 points from five matches on the points table,” PHF said.
“Pakistan won the bronze medal in the last event [Thursday] by winning the third-place match. The final match between Pakistan and Japan will be played tomorrow [Saturday].”
How many times has Pakistan won the Azlan Shah Cup?
Pakistan has won the Azlan Shah Cup title thrice — in 1999, 2000, and 2003.
Pakistan hockey team stood third in the last edition which was also held in Ipoh in 2022.
Malaysia is the defending champions of this year’s edition.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the side for making it to the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament final after 13 years. He said he was looking forward to today’s match, adding that the renewed interest in hockey throughout Pakistan signalled a promising trend for the future.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her best wishes for the Pakistan side. “Pakistan will emerge victorious in the final against Japan. The team’s performance captured the nation’s attention, and hopes are high for a triumphant outcome.” Maryam Nawaz Sharif said.
“Pakistanis are fervently praying for victory,” she added.
Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti also commended the team for their undefeated record.
“Insha’Allah, Pakistan will win the final match; the Pakistani hockey team deserves recognition for making it to the championship game after 13 years,” he said.
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