Pakistan will face Malaysia in the semi-final of the ongoing Junior Hockey Asia Cup in Salalah, Oman, on Wednesday.
The winner of the match between Pakistan and Malaysia will face India or Korea, who will lock horns in the other semi-final today, on June 1. Meanwhile, the losing semi-finalists will face each other in the third and fourth place match on the same day.
Earlier, Pakistan defeated Japan 3-2 during their last pool match on Monday to qualify for this year’s Junior World Cup in Malaysia.
For Pakistan, Abdul Wahab scored two goals and Arbaaz Ahmed scored one goal in the match played in Salalah.
However, for Japan in the second minute of the game, Kompi Yoshida gave his team the lead on a penalty corner.
Pakistan’s Arbaaz equalised the match by scoring on a penalty corner in the 23rd minute. In the 30th minute, Abdul Wahab scored a field goal to give Pakistan the lead, but in the 38th minute, Japan’s Hota Yamada equalised the match once again.
Pakistan only needed to avoid defeat in their final pool match against Japan in order to qualify for the World Cup after their match against India ended with a draw.
It must be noted that Malaysia, as hosts, have already qualified for the World Cup.
Since they have also qualified for the semi-finals of the Junior Asia Cup, this meant that all the other three teams making it to the last four will gain entry into the World Cup as well.
The FIH Junior Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 will be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from December 5-16, 2023.
