Pakistan qualified for the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup hockey tournament on Friday after holding Japan to a 2-2 draw in their last league match in Ipoh, Malaysia. The result was enough to carry the Green-shirts into the Johar Cup final on goals scored, setting up a title rematch with unbeaten hosts Malaysia on Saturday.
Pakistan fell behind in the crucial fixture at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru before fighting back. Hamza Fayyaz struck in the 34th minute and Ghulam Mustafa added the second in the 43rd to secure the draw Pakistan needed to stay in contention.
Goals scored take Pakistan into the Johar Cup final
Both Pakistan and Japan finished the league stage with seven points each and an identical goal difference of plus eight. Pakistan advanced because they found the net more often across the tournament, scoring 18 goals to Japan’s 16.
The mathematics left no room for error. Pakistan knew a draw would be enough, but only just, and the players responded under pressure after going behind. Fayyaz’s equaliser settled nerves before Mustafa’s strike completed the recovery and confirmed the point that mattered.
Earlier results that shaped the group
Pakistan’s path to the final was built on two commanding wins and one narrow defeat. The Green-shirts beat China 8-3 and swept past Canada 6-2 before losing 3-2 to hosts Malaysia, a result that left their qualification hopes resting on the final round of matches.
The earlier meeting with Malaysia was a bruising encounter. Pakistan earned an early penalty stroke in the 12th minute, but goalkeeper Abid Amsyar Hanif kept out Rana Waleed’s flick. T. Naaveennash Panicker put Malaysia ahead in the 28th minute before Adeel levelled in the 36th.
The game turned on discipline. Waleed was shown a red card in the 51st minute for striking an opponent with his stick, and Mustafa Ghulam picked up a yellow card three minutes later. Malaysia exploited their numerical advantage as Safwan Salihe restored the lead in the 55th minute and Naaveennash struck again two minutes later. Malaysia earned eight penalty corners but could not extend their lead further.
That win also carried a revenge element for the hosts, who had lost twice to Pakistan at the Junior Asia Cup in Inner Mongolia, China, last month.
What the final means for Pakistan hockey
Saturday’s final offers Pakistan a swift chance to answer that 3-2 defeat and underlines the progress of the country’s junior programme. Beating Malaysia twice at the Junior Asia Cup and then pushing the hosts all the way in their own tournament points to a group that is learning to compete consistently at this level.
The Sultan of Johor Cup has long served as a proving ground for emerging talent in Asian hockey, and a title in Ipoh would be a strong statement from a young squad. Pakistan’s senior side has had a mixed year, including a semi-final defeat to India at the Asian Games, so success at junior level matters for the pipeline feeding the national team.
Malaysia, unbeaten in the tournament, start as favourites on home turf. But Pakistan have already shown they can trouble the hosts, and with the goals flowing, 18 in the league stage, the final promises an open contest. Pakistan’s tennis players showed this week that reaching a final is becoming a habit, with Pakistan and Iran booking their Billie Jean King Cup final spots, and the hockey team will want to go one better by lifting the trophy.
Frequently asked questions
How did Pakistan reach the Johar Cup final?
Pakistan drew 2-2 with Japan in their final league match in Ipoh on Friday. Both teams finished on seven points with a goal difference of plus eight, but Pakistan advanced on goals scored, 18 to Japan’s 16.
Who scored for Pakistan against Japan?
Hamza Fayyaz scored in the 34th minute and Ghulam Mustafa in the 43rd as Pakistan recovered from a deficit to secure the draw they needed.
Who will Pakistan face in the final?
Unbeaten hosts Malaysia, who beat Pakistan 3-2 earlier in the tournament. The final is scheduled for Saturday in Ipoh.
What were Pakistan’s earlier results in the tournament?
Pakistan beat China 8-3 and Canada 6-2 before losing 3-2 to Malaysia in the league stage.
