The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, announced massive prize money for the Pakistan hockey team after they reached the final of the recently-held Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024.
Shehbaz Sharif announced Rs.1 million for each player after their impressive performance throughout the tournament.
Pakistan lost to Japan 4-1 on a penalty shootout after the match ended 2-2 in the normal time. The Japanese goalkeeper made two excellent saves in the shootout which ended the Green Shirts’ hopes of lifting the title.
The Pakistani team returned to the country on Sunday where they were given a heroic welcome at Lahore Airport where Prime Minister Youth Program Chairman Rana Mashood, former captain Chaudhry Akhtar Rasool, Muhammad Saqlain and Anjum Saeed and other former players were present.
Remember, the final had to be decided on a shootout after both teams scored two goals apiece at the end of full time.
Japan took the lead in the shootout courtesy of Ryoma Ooka while his teammates continued the momentum, scoring the other three.
Meanwhile, Pakistan missed the first two whereas Ammad Butt netted the ball in the third stroke.
Japan staged a comeback to level the score 2-2 after Pakistan scored two goals in the third quarter. Kazumasa Matsumoto produced a second goal in the 47th minute.
In the third quarter, Pakistan came from behind as Ajaz Ahmed netted the goal in the 34th minute while Abdul Rehman scored in the 37th minute.
Seren Tanaka scored the first goal for Japan at the 12th-minute mark and gained a lead.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan qualified for the final for the first time in 13 years.
The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 saw the conclusion of round matches on Friday with Japan and Pakistan finishing as the top two teams on the points table as both remained unbeaten throughout the round-robin matches.
Japan remained on the top with 13 points as they won four matches and drew only one while Pakistan stayed on the second position with 11 points.
