Pakistan have reached the Sultan of Johor Cup final after holding Japan to a 2-2 draw in their last league game on Friday. The result was enough to go through because both teams finished on seven points with the same goal difference, and Pakistan had scored more goals, 18 to Japan's 16. The Green-shirts will now face unbeaten hosts Malaysia in the title match on Saturday.
How the draw put Pakistan through
Pakistan needed a result against Japan after falling behind during the match. Hamza Fayyaz scored in the 34th minute and Ghulam Mustafa added the second in the 43rd minute, securing the point the team needed. The match was played at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru, although another passage places it in Ipoh, Malaysia, so the venue details are not fully consistent.
Both sides ended the league stage with seven points and a goal difference of plus eight. With the points and goal difference level, the place in the final came down to goals scored, and Pakistan's 18 goals were two more than Japan's 16.
Group results and the final against Malaysia
Pakistan beat China 8-3 and Canada 6-2 before losing 3-2 to Malaysia. That defeat left the team's hopes of reaching the final dependent on the last round of matches. Malaysia have won all three of their matches so far and remain unbeaten.
Pakistan had beaten Malaysia twice at last month's Junior Asia Cup in Inner Mongolia, China, so the Saturday final is a rematch of sorts. The Green-shirts will now have the chance to challenge the hosts for the title, with a tournament win within reach. A kick-off time and broadcast details for the final have not been confirmed in reporting so far.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Last month: Pakistan beat Malaysia twice at the Junior Asia Cup in Inner Mongolia, China.
- Earlier in the tournament: Pakistan beat China 8-3.
- Earlier in the tournament: Pakistan beat Canada 6-2.
- Earlier in the tournament: Malaysia beat Pakistan 3-2.
- Friday: Pakistan drew 2-2 with Japan and qualified for the final.
- Saturday: Pakistan face Malaysia in the final.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan hockey team ne Sultan of Johor Cup ka final khel mein jagah bana li hai. Japan ke sath 2-2 ka draw hua, aur zyada goals karne ki wajah se Pakistan aage nikal gaya. Ab final Saturday ko Malaysia ke khilaf hoga, jo ab tak tournament mein haara nahi hai. Match ka waqt aur live coverage ki maloomat official channels par check karein.
