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Pakistan edge Japan to qualify for Hockey World Cup after eight years

ISMAILIA: Pakistan booked their place in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 after defeating Japan 4-3 in a dramatic semi-final of the qualifiers at the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Hockey Stadium on Friday.

The hard-fought victory confirmed the Green Shirts’ return to the global showpiece after an eight-year absence. The upcoming World Cup is scheduled to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands in August 2026.

Japan created the first major opportunity of the match when Tsubasa Tanaka found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but lifted his attempt over the crossbar.

Pakistan soon capitalised, with Ammad Butt opening the scoring in the ninth minute. His initial shot was saved by goalkeeper Takumi Kitagawa, but rebounded off the post, allowing Butt to react quickly and slot the ball home.

Japan pushed for an equaliser and were denied a couple of penalty corners, including a crucial save on the line by Arshad Liaqat.

Their persistence paid off in the 21st minute when Ryoma Ooka deflected the ball into the net from open play to level the score at 1-1 heading into the halftime break.

Japan came out strongly in the second half and took the lead in the 35th minute through Shota Yamada’s drag flick.

They extended their advantage in the 41st minute when a clever overhead ball behind the Pakistani defence forced the goalkeeper out of his circle.

Unable to clear the danger, the loose ball was collected by Koji, who calmly finished with a slap-in at the left post.

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With momentum on Japan’s side, Pakistan responded strongly after their opponents were reduced to ten men following a yellow card with ten minutes remaining.

Abu Mahmood pulled one back in the 52nd minute with a powerful drag flick down the centre before Sufyan Khan levelled the contest three minutes later with another blistering drag flick that squeezed between the goalkeeper and the post defender.

Pakistan completed a remarkable turnaround in the 57th minute when Afraz produced a superb deflection from open play to give his side the lead.

Japan had one final opportunity to force the match into a shootout after being awarded a penalty stroke, but Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza produced a decisive save, stretching out his right foot to deny the attempt and seal a memorable victory.

The triumph marked Pakistan’s fourth consecutive win in the qualifiers, having also topped the group stage unbeaten.

Pakistan will now face England in the final of the qualifying event, scheduled to take place at the same venue on Saturday.

Once regarded as a dominant force in world hockey with four World Cup titles, Pakistan have struggled in recent years.

The team failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in The Hague, finished 12th in the 2018 edition in Bhubaneswar, and also missed out on the 2023 tournament in Odisha.

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Pakistan reach FIH Hockey World Cup qualifiers semi-final

ISMAILIA: Pakistan’s hockey team continued their strong form by defeating Malaysia 5-3 in their second game of the FIH World Cup Qualifiers 2026.

This was Green Shirts’ second win of the tournament, propelling them into the semi-final.

Goals from Rana Waheed Ashraf, Ahmed Nadeem, and Sufyan Khan played a decisive role in the team’s victory.

Malaysia made a solid start as Abdul Rauf pierced the net in the 11th minute of the game. However, Rana Waheed quickly responded and levelled the score line in the very next minute.

But the 12th-ranked Malaysia regained the lead in the last minute of the first quarter.

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Pakistan started the second quarter on a positive note with Hayat Zikriya levelling the scoreline once again. The first half of the game ended 2-2.

In the third quarter, Malaysia struck first in the 39th minute, only for Ahmed Nadeem to equalize for Pakistan in the 44th minute.

The Green Shirts finally pulled ahead in the last quarter, with Sufyan Khan scoring in the 48th minute and Muhammad Ammad sealing the win in the 59th minute.

For the unversed, Pakistan are slotted alongside China, Malaysia, and Austria in pool B of the Hockey World Cup qualifiers.

The top four teams from the overall tournament will earn qualification spots for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

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FIH World Cup Qualifier: Pakistan prevail over China in thrilling win

ISMAILIA: Pakistan’s men’s hockey team sealed a thrilling 5-4 win over China in their opening game of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

The Green Shirts bagged crucial three points with captain Ammad Butt leading from the front and earning the Player of the Match award.

It was Pakistan who struck first, with Sufyan Khan scoring the first goal in the seventh minute of the game. The first half belonged to Pakistan.

However, China made a comeback in the second quarter as Shihao DU got one through the nets to level the score.

Soon after, Pakistan doubled the score line with back-to-back goals in the 19th and 20th minutes of the game. Rana Waheed Ashraf and Muhammad Ammad were the goal scorers.

The second half ended with the scoreline of 3-1.

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Pakistan further consolidated their grip in the match as Abu Mahmood found the back of the net to give his side a 4-1 lead in the 34th minute of the match.

But China broke the deadlock with two goals, making a strong comeback as Shihao and Quyang Guan pulled their side back into contention.

However, the response was immediate. Just under a minute later, RanaWaleed restored the two-goal cushion with a decisive finish at 42:37, taking the score to 5-3.

China piled the pressure on Pakistan with an early fourth-quarter strike, but the Green Shirts held firm to clinch a thrilling victory despite conceding two late penalty corners.

For the unversed, Pakistan are slotted alongside China, Malaysia, and Austria in pool B of the Hockey World Cup qualifiers.

The top four teams from the overall tournament will earn qualification spots for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

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Mohsin Naqvi backs Pakistan hockey players amid crisis

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated on Thursday that he will continue supporting the national men’s hockey team players throughout the current turmoil.

Naqvi’s remarks came following his meeting with Pakistan hockey players amid the accommodation row they faced during the Pro League leg in Australia.

“We will accommodate hockey players in every possible way. We will extend complete cooperation to streamline hockey affairs,” Naqvi stated.

“You should focus only on the game. Pakistan’s honour comes first. We will not allow the country’s dignity to be compromised under any circumstances,” Naqvi told Hockey players.

He also clarified that he is not becoming the next president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

“I am not becoming Hockey Federation President, but we will assist players till this turmoil ends,” Naqvi wrote on X.

The PCB chairman clarified after Tariq Bugti sent his resignation to the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

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Earlier in the day, Tariq Bugti stepped down as President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), with captain Ammad Shakeel Butt handed a two-year ban by the federation.

Bugti submitted his resignation to Shehbaz Sharif and defended his performance in a farewell statement, highlighting improvements in Pakistan’s global standing.

The resignation comes amid fallout from viral videos during the FIH Pro League leg in Australia, which showed Pakistan players living in substandard accommodation due to logistical and financial complications.

Initial hotel bookings were reportedly cancelled over non-payment, forcing team management to arrange alternative lodging with the help of the local community, often with four to five players sharing a single room and bookings falling short of covering the full stay.

On the field, Pakistan endured a disappointing campaign, remaining winless in Australia with defeats against Australia (3-2, 3-0) and Germany (5-2, 6-1).

Looking ahead, Pakistan are scheduled to continue their FIH Pro League campaign with matches against Belgium on June 13 and 20, Spain on June 14, followed by high-profile clashes with arch-rivals India on June 23 and 26, and England on June 24 and 27.

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Pakistan Hockey President Tariq Bugti resigns; Ammad Butt banned

Tariq Bugti has stepped down as President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), while national men’s team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has been handed a two-year ban by the federation.

Bugti submitted his resignation to Shehbaz Sharif and defended his performance in a farewell statement, pointing to an improvement in Pakistan’s global standing.

“Our world ranking was 18th, and now it stands at 13th. This is our accomplishment,” he said, adding that he had “tried utmost for two years” to push the national team forward.

He also thanked the government for allocating Rs250 million to support hockey during his tenure.

“The Prime Minister allocated 250 million rupees for hockey and released the funds. I am primarily grateful to the Prime Minister for allowing me to serve for two years,” he added.

However, Bugti acknowledged persistent administrative hurdles, particularly during the national team’s recent tour of Australia.

He claimed the tour was marred by issues involving the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), stressing that the federation lacked sufficient independent funds to manage operations smoothly.

Despite stepping aside, Bugti expressed optimism about the team’s future in the upcoming qualifiers and revealed that the schedule had already been submitted to the Sports Board by Rana Mujahid.

“The team will perform well in the upcoming qualifying round,” he predicted.

He also called for a high-level inquiry into recent incidents of what he termed “privilege indiscipline,” urging authorities to ensure accountability for any wrongdoing.

On the field, Pakistan endured a disappointing campaign, remaining winless in Australia with defeats against Australia (3-2, 3-0) and Germany (5-2, 6-1).

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Accommodation crisis hits Pakistan hockey team in Australia

HOBART: The Pakistan Hockey team’s accommodation troubles deepened during their tour of Australia, with players facing mounting difficulties.

According to sources, the players have to endure poor conditions and face logistical challenges.

Videos have emerged showing players spending their final day in Hobart after being required to vacate their booked accommodations before their last match.

Sources said players were busy packing their belongings ahead of the 10:00 AM check-out.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) initially paid for seven days of lodging in Hobart, but the team was housed more than an hour and a half outside the city in facilities described as minimal.

Sources familiar with the matter said players faced these conditions due to logistical issues during the tour.

With help from the local community, the team management arranged alternative accommodations and meals.

Although initial hotel bookings were canceled for non-payment, rooms were later secured through an online platform, but with four to five players sharing each room, and the bookings did not cover the entire stay.

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The tour results added to the disappointment, as the national team remained winless in the Australian leg of the FIH Pro League.

Pakistan lost all four matches, with scores of 3-2 and 3-0 to Australia, and 5-2 and 6-1 to Germany.

Looking forward, Pakistan is scheduled to play their next FIH Pro League matches in Belgium on June 13 and Spain on June 14, with rematches against the same teams on June 20.

The team will then face arch-rivals India on June 23 and England on June 24, with second encounters against India and England on June 26 and 27.

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Tim Brand brace helps Australia edge Pakistan in FIH Pro League

HOBART: Pakistan men’s hockey team endured another setback in their FIH Pro League 2025-26 campaign, falling 3-2 to Australia at the Tasmania Hockey Centre on Tuesday.

Australia took control early, with Tim Brand scoring in the first quarter to put the hosts ahead. Tim Brand doubled the lead in the second quarter, giving Australia a 2-0 advantage as they dominated the opening half of the match.

Pakistan mounted a spirited comeback in the final quarter, with Ahmad Nadeem and Sufyan Khan netting goals within five minutes to level the scores at 2-2, raising hopes of a draw.

However, Australia clinched the victory in dramatic fashion when Blake Govers converted a penalty stroke in the dying moments, sealing a 3-2 win.

The defeat leaves the Pakistan hockey team winless in the tournament so far.

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Pakistan will look to regroup as they face Germany on February 11, before taking on Australia again on February 13 and Germany once more on February 14.

For the unversed, before arriving in Australia, the side had suffered four consecutive losses during the Argentina leg, including defeats against hosts Argentina and the Netherlands.

Their campaign began with a 5-2 loss to the defending champions, the Netherlands, followed by a narrow 3-2 defeat to Argentina and a 7-3 loss in a high-scoring rematch against the Dutch.

In their final game of the first leg, Pakistan suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of Argentina.

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Winless Pakistan thrashed by Argentina in FIH Pro League clash

SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO: Pakistan men’s hockey team continued their difficult debut campaign in the FIH Pro League as they suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of Argentina at the Santiago del Estero Hockey Club on Tuesday.

Argentina dominated proceedings from the outset, combining clinical penalty-corner execution with sharp aerial play to register a commanding victory and move to the top of the Pro League standings with 11 points.

Pakistan, meanwhile, slumped to their fourth consecutive loss and remain rooted at the bottom of the table.

Los Leones opened the scoring through Nicolas Della Torre, whose powerful drag flick from a penalty corner took a deflection off Pakistan defender Muhammad Abdullah and wrong-footed goalkeeper Muneeb Ur-Rehman.

Argentina maintained control through midfield and repeatedly exploited space behind Pakistan’s defence with long aerial balls.

One such aerial found Joaquin Toscani, who controlled well before delivering a bouncing ball into the circle for Bautista Capurro to deflect home, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Argentina struck again through Capurro in the second quarter after Maico Casella kept the pressure alive following a failed Pakistani clearance.

Casella found space and slid a pinpoint pass across the goal, allowing Capurro to tap in his second and make it 3-0.

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Pakistan showed some resistance early in the third quarter when Waheed Ashraf Rana produced a fine individual effort, driving into the circle and smashing a high shot into the net to briefly cut the deficit.

Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as Argentina responded almost immediately.

Tadeo Marcucci released Tomas Domene with a precise pass, and although Domene’s initial backhand effort was saved, Tobias Martins reacted quickest to slot home the rebound.

Domene then capped an impressive outing by earning and converting a penalty corner with a low drag flick to make it 5-1.

The final quarter remained scoreless, with Argentina comfortably seeing out the contest to claim a convincing three points. Domene was later named Player of the Match for the second consecutive game.

The defeat leaves Pakistan in ninth place, having conceded 20 goals while scoring only eight, resulting in a worrying goal difference of minus 12.

Their campaign began with a 5-2 loss to the defending champions, the Netherlands, followed by a narrow 3-2 defeat to Argentina and a 7-3 loss in a high-scoring rematch against the Dutch.

Pakistan will now turn their attention to the Australia leg of the Pro League in Hobart in February, where they face a stern challenge against the hosts on February 10 and 13, followed by clashes with Germany on February 11 and 14.

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Pakistan push Argentina to limit but fall short 3–2 in Pro League clash

Pakistan produced a spirited performance but still came away empty-handed, slipping to a narrow 3–2 defeat against Argentina in their FIH Pro League fixture at the Santiago del Estero Hockey Club.

In a five-goal contest that swung with momentum throughout, the hosts backed up their shoot-out win over the Netherlands a day earlier by claiming full points against a resurgent Pakistan side.

Pakistan began with impressive intent, pressing aggressively and creating clearer early openings.

Waheed Ashraf Rana forced Tomas Santiago into a sharp save from close range, before narrowly missing the far post on his second attempt.

Argentina, meanwhile, struggled to make their penalty corners count, with Tomas Domene’s backhand only catching the side netting.

The breakthrough eventually came for the hosts in the second quarter.

Thomas Habif’s incisive baseline run opened the play for Ignacio Nardolillo, who squared for Domene to finish from point-blank range, the only goal separating the sides at halftime.

The match came alive after the break, as Pakistan drew level through Muhammad Ammad, who cleverly redirected a Zikriya Hayat pass to make it 1–1.

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But Argentina responded instantly, showcasing their penalty-corner class.

Nicolas della Torre struck low to restore the lead, before Maico Casella added a second in quick succession with a powerful flick into the top of the net following a series of re-awards.

Pakistan replied with pressure of their own, earning three consecutive re-awards before Waleed Rana pounced on a rebound to trim the deficit to 3–2 just before the third-quarter whistle.

Both Pakistan and Argentina created half-chances in the final period, but the home team’s defensive discipline and earlier set-piece precision ensured the scoreline stayed intact.

Thomas Habif’s influential display earned him the Player of the Match award.

The result follows Pakistan’s 5–2 loss to defending champions Netherlands on their Pro League debut at the same venue.

The Green Shirts will meet the Dutch again on December 13, before concluding their opening Pro League stint against Argentina on December 15.

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Pakistan begin FIH Pro League campaign with Netherlands defeat

Defending champions Netherlands opened their FIH Pro League campaign with a commanding 5–2 victory over debutants Pakistan at the Santiago del Estero Hockey Club in Argentina.

Pakistan stunned the Dutch early, taking the lead through a moment of brilliance from Hannan Shahid.

The young forward carved his way in from the left flank, slicing through the Dutch defence before smashing his shot past Mauritz Visser to announce Pakistan’s arrival in the competition.

But the Netherlands, seasoned campaigners and among the favourites once again, settled quickly.

A sharp tackle from Thierry Brinkman triggered their first major surge down the right, with Koen Bijen finding space upfront to level the score before the end of the first quarter.

Just moments before the break, Timo Boers made it 2–1 with a tidy penalty-corner strike, the first sign of what would become the decisive difference between the sides.

Pakistan hockey team refused to fade, and early in the second quarter, Sufyan Khan dragged his team back into the contest with a penalty-corner conversion to make it 2–2 at half-time.

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The match, though, ultimately shifted in the third quarter as the Dutch showcased their set-piece precision.

Tijmen Reyenga restored their lead with another penalty-corner finish, and Boers added his second of the match shortly after, again from a dead-ball situation.

Duco Telgenkamp then produced a sharp finish from the baseline to stretch the advantage to 5–2, completing a dominant period for the defending champions.

Reyenga’s impact on both ends of the field earned him the Player of the Match award, as the Netherlands closed out the final quarter with composure and control.

Pakistan, despite the defeat, showed glimpses of their potential and will now turn their attention to the remaining fixtures of the mini-tournament.

They face hosts Argentina on December 12, meet the Netherlands again on December 13, and wrap up their first Pro League outing against Argentina on December 15.

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