Sports Minister Punjab Faisal Khokhar has announced prize money of Rs.2 million for the Pakistan Hockey team after they finished second in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
Pakistan lost to Japan 4-1 in a penalty shootout after the game ended at 2-2 in the regular time.
“On behalf of the nation, I congratulate the team,” Faisal said.
“I announce a reward of Rs.2 million for your best performance,” he added.
“Once again the national team has raised the national flag on the global horizon. The Punjab government will take all possible steps to restore the national sport,” he maintained.
It must be noted 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.
Remember, 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.
