Pakistan stun France to reach Nations Cup final
KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan will face defending champions New Zealand in the final of the Nations Cup on Saturday.
World No.15 Pakistan stunned world No.10 France 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time in the semi-finals at the National Hockey Stadium.
World No.11 New Zealand, meanwhile, edged South Korea 4-3 on penalties after their clash ended 2-2 in normal time.
Pakistan's Rana Waheed Ashraf, named man of the match, said it was a proud moment for his country to reach a final after such a long time.
"It feels like the revival of hockey. We're just one step away from qualifying for the FIH Pro League - that would be massive for Pakistan hockey," said Rana.
France coach John-John Dohmen admitted his side let the game slip.
"I think we started well and deserved to win. But in the second half, we forgot what we had to do.
"Pakistan played really well in the second half and were better than us in the shootout."
Results
Semi-finals: France 3 Pakistan 3 (Pakistan win 3-2 on shootout), S. Korea 2 New Zealand 2 (New Zealand win 4-3 on shootout)
Classification: Wales 6 Japan 4, Malaysia 4 S. Africa 2
Saturday's fixtures (June 21)
5th placing: Wales v Malaysia (4pm)
7th placing: Japan v S. Africa (1.30pm)
3rd placing: France vs S. Korea (6.30pm)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Pakistan stun France to reach Nations Cup final
KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan will face defending champions New Zealand in the final of the Nations Cup on Saturday. World No.15 Pakistan stunned world No.10 France 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time in the semi-finals at the National Hockey Stadium. World No.11 New Zealand, meanwhile, edged South Korea 4-3 on penalties after their clash ended 2-2 in normal time. Pakistan's Rana Waheed Ashraf, named man of the match, said it was a proud moment for his country to reach a final after such a long time. "It feels like the revival of hockey. We're just one step away from qualifying for the FIH Pro League - that would be massive for Pakistan hockey," said Rana. France coach John-John Dohmen admitted his side let the game slip. "I think we started well and deserved to win. But in the second half, we forgot what we had to do. "Pakistan played really well in the second half and were better than us in the shootout." Results Semi-finals: France 3 Pakistan 3 (Pakistan win 3-2 on shootout), S. Korea 2 New Zealand 2 (New Zealand win 4-3 on shootout) Classification: Wales 6 Japan 4, Malaysia 4 S. Africa 2 Saturday's fixtures (June 21) 5th placing: Wales v Malaysia (4pm) 7th placing: Japan v S. Africa (1.30pm) 3rd placing: France vs S. Korea (6.30pm)
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysia downs S. Africa 4-2, sets up 5th place playoff with Wales at Nations Cup
BUKIT JALIL: The national hockey team gave an improved performance at the Nations Cup after defeating South Africa 4-2 in the fifth to eighth classification match at the National Hockey Stadium on Friday (June 20). The Speedy Tigers, out of the semi-finals, made sure to not let a fifth place finish slip away. Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan gave the hosts the lead in the 15th minute through a penalty corner. But South Africa did not ease up as Angelo Walstroom equalised in the 30th minute. In the third quarter, Malaysia had the lead once again when Shafiq Hassan scored a field goal in the 37th minute, and the lead was doubled by Akhimullah Anuar Esook three minutes later. South Africa tried to catch up and managed to decrease the gap by one goal when Carlon Mentoor scored in the 51st minute through a penalty corner. But this was not enough to stop Malaysia from taking the win, sealed when Fitri Saari scored in the 53rd minute for the fourth goal. The Speedy Tigers will now take on Wales for fifth spot on Saturday (June 21).
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Speedy Tigers tame South Africa to book a date with Wales
KUALA LUMPUR: The national team held off a spirited South African side to record a 4-2 win in a Nations Cup classification match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Friday. The victory over world No 11 South Africa is a timely morale boost for world No 14 Malaysia, who missed out on a place in the semi-finals. It was also Malaysia's first win over the African champions since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The Speedy Tigers will now face world No 15 Wales, who edged Japan 6-4, in the fifth-sixth place playoff. Malaysia's goals came via Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan (15th minute), Syafiq Hassan (37th), Akhimullah Anuar Esook (40th) and Fitri Saari (53rd). South Africa replied through Angelo Walstroom (30th) and Carlon Mentoor (51st). In the earlier match, debutants Wales netted six goals through Fred Newbold (ninth), Jolyon Morgan (21st, 34th, 45th), Sam Welsh (34th) and Gareth Furlong (59th). Japan's scorers were Ryoma Ooka (20th), Koji Yamasaki (30th), Kazumasa Matsumoto (32nd) and Kosei Kawabe (60th). National coach Sarjit Singh admitted Malaysia were shaky in the first two quarters against South Africa. "Although we won, it wasn't a good performance compared to our first three matches. The only difference is that we took our chances and scored four goals. "But overall, we made too many errors," said Sarjit, a former national captain. Looking ahead, Sarjit hopes his players will regroup and deliver a stronger performance against Wales on Saturday. "Wales have been improving with every match and will pose a strong challenge. But I want my players to refocus and win that fifth place," he added.
