Pakistan juniors beat Guangdong 5-2 in Gojra on Wednesday, as the hosts ran out clear winners in the friendly hockey series against the Chinese side.
The match was played at the International Hockey Stadium in Gojra, in the Olympic Village, as part of a six-match friendly Test series. Pakistan led 3-2 at half-time, then scored twice more after the break to seal an emphatic win.
Pakistan started strongly and kept pressure on Guangdong throughout the contest. The visitors stayed in touch until half-time, but the hosts pulled away in the second half.
Pakistan juniors beat Guangdong: the match
Pakistan juniors beat Guangdong with a performance built on sustained pressure. The hosts took a 3-2 lead into the interval, a scoreline that reflected an open first half in which both sides found the net.
The second half belonged to Pakistan. Two further goals closed the contest and turned a close game into a comfortable 5-2 victory.
The match was organised to promote Pakistan-China friendship and to strengthen sporting ties between the two countries. Toba Tek Singh Deputy Commissioner Maham Asif Malik and District Police Officer Akhlaq Tarar watched the game, along with Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Director of Domestic and High Performance Tahir Zaman and Director Administration Col (retd) Nasir Akhunzada.
Guangdong’s tour results so far
Guangdong have faced several Pakistani departmental teams during their visit, and the results show a competitive tour.
Rangers beat the Chinese side 3-1, while Mari Energies defeated the visitors 5-2. Customs secured a narrow 3-2 win over Guangdong.
Pakistan Navy also beat Guangdong 3-1 at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad. The Chinese side’s best result came against Pakistan Army, whom they defeated 4-2 in a shootout after a closely fought encounter.
The junior win in Gojra adds another home victory to that list, and it matters more than a departmental result. These are the players the PHF hopes will progress to the national team, and a 5-2 win over international opposition is a useful marker of their progress.
Why the series matters for Pakistan hockey
The series is aimed at strengthening sporting relations between Pakistan and China, while giving players valuable match experience against international opposition.
That experience is the point of the tour. Domestic matches alone cannot show young players how foreign sides play, or how to hold a lead under pressure. A six-match series gives coaches repeated chances to test players in different situations.
The PHF is now working to strengthen grassroots development, improve domestic competitions, and create clearer pathways for emerging players to reach the national team. Regular competitive fixtures are part of that plan, with the aim that young players gain experience and contribute to the long-term development of Pakistan hockey.
Pakistan was once among the dominant forces in world hockey, winning three Olympic gold medals and four World Cup titles. The country has struggled to maintain those standards in recent years and has fallen behind leading nations.
Results like the Gojra win do not restore that standing on their own. They do, however, give the revival effort something concrete: young players tested against foreign opposition, in front of a crowd, with a scoreline to build on.
For coaches, one result is only part of the picture. A six-match series lets them judge consistency: whether the juniors can repeat the second-half control they showed in Gojra, and whether the players who impressed against Guangdong can do the same against the next opponent. Feature Pakistan earlier reported on the launch of the Pakistan Hockey League for 2027, another part of the PHF’s effort to give players regular competitive hockey.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Gojra?
Pakistan’s juniors beat Guangdong 5-2, leading 3-2 at half-time before scoring twice more in the second half.
Where was the match played?
The match was played at the International Hockey Stadium in Gojra, in the Olympic Village, as part of a six-match friendly Test series.
How have other Pakistani sides fared against Guangdong?
Rangers won 3-1, Mari Energies won 5-2, Customs won 3-2, and Navy won 3-1, while Guangdong beat Army 4-2 in a shootout.
