Pakistan qualifies for FIH Nations Cup final after beating France in penalty shoot-out
Pakistan has qualified for the final of the FIH Nations Cup after beating France in the first semifinal that was decided on a penalty shoot-out in Kuala Lumpur, on Friday.
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Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pak qualify for FIH Nations Cup final
Pakistan players celebrate after scoring a goal in their FIH Nations Cup semifinal against France at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. PHOTO: FIH Pakistan displayed an outstanding performance in the FIH Nations Cup as they defeated France in penalty shootout 3-2 after two sides remained tied at the National Hockey Stadium, Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Pakistan goalkeeper Muneeb Ur-Rehman blocked three France chances, while Rana Waheed Ashraf, Hannan Shahid and Afraz struck for Pakistan to clinch a highly-rewarding victory. The green shirts will face either New Zealand or Korea in the summit clash on Saturday. The two teams remained inseparable after enthralling four quarters as the scoreline was tied at 3-3 at the full time. The high-stakes clash got off to a nervy start as the two sides barred each other from scoring the opener in the first quarter. Pakistan got one penalty corner, while France had four. The Blues eventually broke the shackles in the second quarter through Xavier Esmenjaud, who breached Pakistan's defence to score a sensational field goal in the 25th minute. France doubled their lead just four minutes into the third quarter through Victory Charlet. Pakistan then staged an astounding comeback by netting three goals within five minutes to head into the final quarter with a 3-2 lead. Afraz netted Pakistan's first goal after a precise assist by Rana Waheed Ashraf in the seventh minute of the penultimate quarter. The green shirts then survived a major scare when the referee ruled out France's penalty corner after a VAR review. Seconds later, Pakistan were awarded a penalty corner, courtesy of a foul from a French defender. The penalty corner was successfully converted by Sufyan Khan, drawing the two sides level at 2-2. The green shirts, fuelled with momentum, secured the lead through Muhammad Hammadudin, which remained intact until the conclusion of the penultimate quarter. The green shirts then tried to prevent France from scoring the equaliser by passing each other until a foul from their defender with just three minutes of action left gave the Blues a crucial penalty corner, which Charlet commandingly converted to neutralise Pakistan's lead. Pakistan had a vital opportunity to score the tiebreaker in the 59th minute as they got a penalty corner, which was burnt by Sufyan Khan as he hit a France defender in the process. Lamentable as Pak players deprived of allowances Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Butt has publicly voiced his frustration over the lack of financial support, revealing that players have yet to receive their daily allowances despite reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Nations Cup. Speaking on behalf of his teammates, Ammad raised a heartfelt concern that mirrors the long-standing struggle of Pakistan's national sport. "Is there anyone who truly understands the struggles of Pakistan hockey?" Ammad questioned, drawing a stark comparison between the country's cricket obsession and the declining fortunes of hockey. "Do our politicians care about the national sport? Do ministers take an interest in the game that once brought Olympic gold to this country? Businessmen spend crores on cricket leagues, but when it comes to hockey, there's no budget," he lamented.
Arab News
16 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan beat France 3-2 in penalty shootouts to reach FIH Hockey Nations Cup final
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's national hockey team advanced to the FIH Men's Nations Cup final in Malaysia after defeating France 3-2 in penalty shootouts, the International Hockey Federation said on Friday. The FIH Men's Nations Cup is being played in Kuala Lumpur from June 15 to 21 at the National Hockey Stadium that brought together eight top-ranked teams competing with each other. 'Pakistan edge France to make it to their first FIH Hockey Men's Nations Cup final,' International Hockey Federation said in a post on X. Pakistan are through to the #FIHNationsCup 2024-25 final! Excellent goals in the second half, followed by amazing goalkeeping in the shootout. Subscribe to to follow their journey in the final. #Hockey — International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) June 20, 2025 'Excellent goals in the second half followed by amazing goalkeeping in the shootout,' it continued, 'This is Pakistan's first FIH final in more than a decade.' Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised and congratulated the Pakistan hockey team on their victory, paying tribute to the players and team management. 'The national hockey team delivered an outstanding performance throughout the tournament,' he added. 'The team has made the nation proud and won our hearts.' Sharif said he would also pray for Pakistan's victory in the final scheduled for June 21, expressing hope that the country will soon regain its lost glory in the field of hockey. Pakistan will play the winner of the second semifinal between New Zealand and South Korea. Hockey is Pakistan's national sport. The national team boasts a proud legacy with three Olympic gold medals in 1960, 1968 and 1984 along with four World Cup titles in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994. Hockey in Pakistan has faced a sharp decline in recent decades due to administrative challenges, underinvestment and inadequate infrastructure. Renewed efforts are underway to revive the game with increased government support, youth development initiatives and greater international engagement aimed at restoring Pakistan's former glory in the sport.
Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Indian Express
Hockey: Pakistan script impressive fightback against France to reach Nations Cup final; one win away from Pro League promotion
Pakistan men's hockey team are one win away from qualifying for the FIH Pro League as they roared back against world No 10 France in the first semi-final of the FIH Nations Cup, causing a real upset in beating Les Bleus 3-2 on penalties in Malaysia on Friday. Led by the mercurial creative powers of Waheeb Ashraf Rana, Pakistan will be playing for a spot in the FIH Men's Pro League against New Zealand in the final. The Blacksticks won a penalty shootout of their own, beating Korea despite a strong comeback thanks to the impressive Korean penalty corner battery. With one team getting relegated from the Pro League season that is ongoing, the winner of the Nations Cup earn promotion to the the top division of international hockey, where the best teams compete round the year. France, after a strong showing in the pool stages, faced Pakistan in the first semi-final and the most exciting game of the day. The first quarter remained goalless despite five penalty corners being exchanged, one for Pakistan, four for France. In the second quarter, Xavier Esmenjaud threw himself forward with an outstretched stick to put Les Bleus in the lead, touching in a ball across goal. Early in the second half, France doubled their lead, as the inevitable Victor Charlet converted France's fifth penalty corner to give France a real boost towards the final with a 2-0 lead. Pakistan stormed back into the game, however, overturning France the dominance and control as Waheed Ashraf Rana set up Afraz's slap shot before both erupted into celebrations that marked the shift in momentum. Sufyan Khan joined the party, letting fly an unsaveable drag-flick into the top left corner and finding parity with the French. A minute later, Muhammad Hammadudin fantastically deflected in Rana's flat reverse hit to go 3-2 up. Charlet, of course, stepped up with two minutes to play for the French, as his deflected flick equalised scores at 3-3 with two minutes to go. Pakistan went on to win the penalty shootout using just four of their five attempts as France failed to convert chances even after they had wrongfooted the 'keeper. Pakistan head to their second Nations Cup final in as many years looking to go one better than they did last year. After Waheeb Ashraf Rana's creativity and winning penalty named him Player of the Match, he said: 'We were ready for this win for a long time. 110 percent effort from the boys' side. Everything we have – we gave everything. [We are] thankful to Allah almighty for helping us. We are really proud of the team and looking forward to the finals now.' Pakistan will have to overcome world No 11 New Zealand in the final in what will be winner-take-all contest.
