ISLAMABAD: In a thrilling and exciting game, Japan beat Pakistan in the final of the 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup 2024 in Ipoh, Malaysia on Saturday. In full time, both teams scored two goals each, followed by penalty shoots where Japan outclassed Pakistan by 4-1
It was for the first time that Japan reached the final of Azaln Shah Cup and also won the final as well.
Meanwhile, Pakistan also reached in to the final of Azlan Shah Hockey Cup for the first time in last 13 years.
Earlier both sides played aggressively from the very start, however Japan remained dominant in the first quarter of the first half. In the same first quarter Japan took the lead with a field goal and maintained the lead till end of the first half.
When the third quarter and second half of the game began, Pakistan team acted aggressively and dominated Japan in the whole quarter. In 4th minute if the 3rd quarter Ahmad Ajaz scored the equalizer and just 4 minutes later (8th minute of 3rd Quarter) Abdur Rehman scored a blinder and took Pakistan to 2-1.
However, in the beginning of the 4th quarter (2nd half) Japan managed to score the equalizer. Later both sides attacked on the opponents’ goal post but no team manage to have further goals. Later the match shifted to penalty shoots where Japan won the title by 4-1
Pakistan Performance in Azlan Shah Cup
Earlier in the tournament, the Green Shirts demonstrated an excellent performance in the ongoing event as they drew the match against New Zealand 1-1 after a tough fight yesterday. No team could score goal till half-time as both sides were unable to capitalize on the chances they created.
On Wednesday, Pakistan defeated Canada to have a berth in the final of the tournament.
Before reaching to the final, Pakistan remained unbeaten during the round-robin stage of the event with three impressive wins and two draws in five matches. The Green Shirts played draw against Japan and New Zealand.
Pakistan’s performance in the tournament would be a morale booster for the players in future, especially because the team has to participate in the FIH Nations Cup in Poland’s Gniezno from May 31 to June 9 as well.
Before this championship, Pakistan won Azlan Shah Cup three times in 1999, 2000 and 2003.
Four Time World Champion
Being the world champion for four time (1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994), Hockey fans remained in a dismay during the last two decades as they witnessed jubilation last time when Pakistan clinched the World Cup title in 1994 by the green shirts led by the super man Shahbaz Senior.
After reaching the final of Azlan Shah Cup. hockey fans are expected the national team to bring that flavor to the team in the near future, although it is the responsibility of the government to pay attention to the sport as it deserves being a national game.
