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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.
