Guangdong beat Pakistan Army 4-2 in a shoot-out on Wednesday after the second match of the Hockey Test Matches Series 2026 ended 1-1 at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad.
The closely contested encounter, organised by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), saw both sides produce attacking hockey before the visitors held their nerve from the spot.
Guangdong beat Pakistan Army: how the shoot-out was won
Guangdong took the lead in the 26th minute when Chen Nanzhen, wearing shirt number nine, converted a penalty stroke. Pakistan Army responded eight minutes later, with their number 23 scoring from a penalty corner in the 34th minute to level the match at 1-1.
Neither side could find a winner in regulation time, forcing the match into a shoot-out. Guangdong prevailed 4-2 to claim victory in the second match of the series.
The match was attended by PHF president Mohiuddin Ahmad Wani and Pakistan Army sports deputy director Colonel Nabeel, underlining the institutional backing for the series.
Part of a wider hockey push
The Guangdong Pakistan Army hockey series is part of the PHF’s efforts to provide competitive opportunities for domestic and visiting sides and to promote the sport through international and domestic exchanges.
The timing is notable. Pakistan hockey is in the middle of a busy revival stretch. The federation recently launched the Pakistan Hockey League 2027 in Islamabad, and the national junior side thrashed China 8-3 in the Sultan of Johor Cup earlier this month. The senior team is also confirmed for the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia in November 2026.
For Pakistan Army, one of the strongest departmental sides in the country, the shoot-out defeat will sting, but the series format means there is little time to dwell on it. The matches are designed to test players under pressure, and a shoot-out loss to international opposition is precisely the kind of examination the PHF wants its players to face ahead of bigger assignments.
What happens next
The series continues with the remaining fixtures, giving both sides further chances to fine-tune combinations ahead of bigger assignments. For the PHF, the Guangdong visit is a template it will want to repeat: foreign opposition, competitive matches and a full stadium in Islamabad.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Guangdong vs Pakistan Army hockey match?
Guangdong beat Pakistan Army 4-2 in a shoot-out after the second Hockey Test Matches Series 2026 match finished 1-1 at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad.
Who scored in the match?
Chen Nanzhen gave Guangdong the lead with a 26th-minute penalty stroke. Pakistan Army’s number 23 equalised from a penalty corner in the 34th minute.
What is the Hockey Test Matches Series 2026?
It is a series organised by the Pakistan Hockey Federation to provide competitive matches for participating teams and promote hockey through international and domestic sporting exchanges.
Who attended the match?
PHF president Mohiuddin Ahmad Wani and Pakistan Army sports deputy director Colonel Nabeel were present at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium.
