Pakistan’s national hockey team faced another challenging encounter in the ongoing Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in China, concluding their second match with a 2-2 draw against South Korea. Despite an early two-goal lead, the Green Shirts were unable to maintain their advantage.
South Korea took the lead in the second quarter, scoring the first goal of the match, which remained unchallenged until the third quarter. Pakistan struggled to find the back of the net, trailing by one goal as the match progressed into the final quarter.
However, a remarkable turnaround occurred in the fourth quarter when Hanan Shahid scored two quick goals for Pakistan, giving them a temporary lead. The excitement was short-lived as South Korea managed to equalize before the match concluded, resulting in a draw.
This draw follows Pakistan’s previous match against Malaysia, which also ended in a 2-2 draw. As of now, Pakistan has yet to secure a victory in the tournament.
The national team is scheduled to play their third match against Japan on Wednesday, September 11. The eighth edition of the Asian Champions Trophy began on Sunday at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, China.
India, the defending champions, are participating in the tournament, having won the title for a record fourth time in Chennai in 2023. They recently clinched a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, adding to their impressive track record.
The tournament, which started on September 8, features six teams competing in a round-robin format. The top four teams will advance to the semifinals, scheduled for September 16, with the third-place playoff and the final taking place on September 17.
Pakistan’s Asian Champions Trophy Schedule:
- Pakistan vs. Malaysia (2-2) — September 8
- Pakistan vs. South Korea (2-2) — September 9
- Pakistan vs. Japan — September 11
- Pakistan vs. China — September 12
- Pakistan vs. India — September 14
With two draws in their initial matches, Pakistan will aim to secure their first win as they continue their campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy.
