Pakistan maintained their unbeaten streak in the 30th Azlan Shah Hockey Cup as they secured a tie against New Zealand in a thrilling match held in Malaysia’s Ipoh city on Friday.
The match, Pakistan’s fifth in the tournament, concluded in a draw with both teams earning one point each, as confirmed by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF). The first half remained goalless, highlighting the competitive spirit between the two sides.
Led by senior player Ammad Shakeel with Abu Bakr serving as vice-captain, Pakistan showcased resilience and tactical prowess throughout the match, solidifying their position as a formidable contender in the tournament.
With this draw, Pakistan maintains its lead on the points table with a total of 11 points, closely followed by Japan with one point less. New Zealand secures the third position with seven points, while hosts Malaysia trail closely with six points.
Having already secured their spot in the final match, scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 PM PKT at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Pakistan and Japan are poised for an electrifying showdown. Their qualification was ensured following victories in their respective matches on Wednesday, with Pakistan defeating Canada 5-4 and Japan triumphing over hosts Malaysia 2-1.
Pakistan’s journey in the tournament has been marked by consistent performances, with victories against Malaysia, South Korea, and Canada, along with draws against Japan and New Zealand.
As Japan prepares to face Canada today at 3:15 PM PKT, anticipation runs high for another thrilling encounter in the prestigious tournament.
Head coach Roelant Oltmans, expressing optimism about Pakistan’s performance, had earlier highlighted expectations for an improved showing. With Oltmans’ extensive experience and the team’s determination, Pakistan aims to add another Azlan Shah Cup title to their illustrious history, having clinched the trophy thrice before.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on Pakistan as they strive to reaffirm their dominance in international hockey and bring glory to the nation once again.