Pakistan end 16 year World Cup winless run, beat Japan 4 3

Pakistan ended a 16 year wait for a victory in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup with a thrilling 4 3 win over Japan in the 9th to 16th place

Amstelveen / Islamabad: Pakistan ended a 16 year wait for a victory in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup with a thrilling 4 3 win over Japan in the 9th to 16th place classification match at the Wagener Stadium, giving the Green Shirts a much needed boost after a disappointing campaign in the main round.

Pakistan made a difficult start as Japan scored twice in the opening quarter through Hyota Yamada and Kaito Tanaka. The Green Shirts, however, refused to give up and gradually fought their way back into the match.

Rana Waheed Ashraf pulled one goal back in the second quarter to reduce Japan’s lead to 2 1 before the interval. Pakistan then produced a remarkable comeback in the third quarter, with Ashraf scoring again before Muhammad Hammadudin put the Green Shirts ahead.

Japan quickly responded through Koji Yamasaki to make it 3 3, setting up a tense finish. Pakistan eventually regained the lead through Hannan Shahid, who scored in the 40th minute. Neither side could score again and Pakistan held on for a memorable 4 3 victory.

The victory was Pakistan’s first in the Hockey World Cup since the 2010 tournament, when the team defeated Spain 2 1. Pakistan missed the 2014 World Cup and remained without a win in the 2018 edition, making the latest victory an important moment for the country’s struggling national sport.

The result also comes at a time when the Pakistan Hockey Federation is seeking to rebuild the sport under the leadership of its ad hoc president, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani.

Wani deserves credit for putting greater emphasis on rebuilding hockey from the grassroots as well as improving the federation’s working structure. Under his leadership, the PHF announced plans to bring around 60,000 to 70,000 youngsters into hockey through cooperation with provincial education boards, with free hockey kits planned for schools and colleges at under 14 and under 16 levels.

Wani has also pushed for administrative and professional reforms within the federation. The PHF announced separate Governance Management and Professional Development Committees, bringing together experts in areas including financial management, resource mobilisation, sports development, coaching, sports medicine and the experience of former Olympians.

His efforts have focused not only on the senior national team but also on expanding hockey beyond traditional centres. Wani has stressed the importance of regions including Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Balochistan and Sindh and has spoken about developing the game at schools, colleges and universities.

The latest victory therefore provides an encouraging result for the rebuilding process, although much more work remains before Pakistan can return to the top level of international hockey.

Pakistan had already been eliminated from the title race after losing to England and India and drawing 3 3 with Wales in the opening phase. The team consequently entered the classification round for positions 9 to 16.

Despite failing to reach the knockout stage, the fighting spirit shown against Japan will give the players confidence as they continue their World Cup campaign.

For a country that has won the Hockey World Cup four times, the 16 year wait for another World Cup victory has been a painful reminder of the decline of Pakistan hockey. The win over Japan does not solve the problems facing the sport, but it provides a welcome sign that the national team can still fight back when under pressure.

The real challenge now is to turn this victory into the beginning of a sustained revival. With stronger grassroots programmes, better administration, improved training facilities and continued support for players, Pakistan will hope to rebuild its position among the leading hockey nations of the world.