By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan have qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cup for the first time in eight years after staging a remarkable final-quarter fightback to defeat Japan 4-3 in the semi-final of the qualifying tournament in Egypt.
The Green Shirts trailed 3-1 entering the last 15 minutes at the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Hockey Stadium in Ismailia on Friday but scored three times in a breathless six-minute spell to secure their place at next year’s finals. The victory not only extended Pakistan’s unbeaten run through the qualifiers but also delivered a much-needed boost to a national sport that has struggled for prominence in recent times.
Captain Ammad Butt opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a clinical field goal, giving his side an early foothold they protected through the first quarter. Japan equalised in the 21st minute when Ryoma Ooka found the net, before taking firm control in the third quarter. Shota Yamada and Koji Yamasaki struck in quick succession to establish a 3-1 lead that left Pakistan staring at elimination.
What followed was one of the most stirring turnarounds of the campaign. Abu Mahmood reduced the deficit in the 52nd minute. Sufyan Khan levelled the scores three minutes later, and Afraz completed the comeback in the 57th minute to put Pakistan 4-3 ahead. Japan pressed hard in the dying moments and earned a penalty stroke, but goalkeeper Ali Raza produced a crucial save to preserve the lead as the defence held firm until the final whistle.
The result capped a flawless group-stage campaign for Pakistan, who recorded their fourth straight win of the tournament. They opened with a narrow 5-4 victory over China, powered by a brace from Rana Waheed, followed by a dominant 5-3 win against Malaysia. The pool phase concluded with a commanding 4-2 triumph over Austria, in which Abu Mahmood scored twice.
Pakistan, once the dominant force in international hockey and four-time world champions, had not appeared at the tournament since 2018. Friday’s success ends a period of absence that had become a source of frustration for a nation with such a storied past in the sport. The team will now face England in the final of the qualifying event on Saturday at the same venue. Both sides have already guaranteed their places at the 2026 World Cup, with the bronze-medal match between Malaysia and Japan also offering the last remaining qualification spot.
News of the victory was greeted with widespread celebration back home. Mohiuddin Wani, president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, praised the players for delivering an excellent performance in a nerve-wracking contest. Yasir Pirzada, director general of the Pakistan Sports Board, added his congratulations, as did legendary Olympians Islahuddin Siddiqui, Hassan Sardar and Samiullah Khan, who expressed delight at the team’s resilience and extended their best wishes ahead of the World Cup. For a sport long synonymous with national pride in Pakistan, this qualification marks more than a return to the biggest stage.
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