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Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Hockey: Pakistan script impressive fightback against France to reach Nations Cup final; one win away from Pro League promotion
Pakistan men's hockey team are one win away from qualifying for the FIH Pro League as they roared back against world No 10 France in the first semi-final of the FIH Nations Cup, causing a real upset in beating Les Bleus 3-2 on penalties in Malaysia on Friday. Led by the mercurial creative powers of Waheeb Ashraf Rana, Pakistan will be playing for a spot in the FIH Men's Pro League against New Zealand in the final. The Blacksticks won a penalty shootout of their own, beating Korea despite a strong comeback thanks to the impressive Korean penalty corner battery. With one team getting relegated from the Pro League season that is ongoing, the winner of the Nations Cup earn promotion to the the top division of international hockey, where the best teams compete round the year. France, after a strong showing in the pool stages, faced Pakistan in the first semi-final and the most exciting game of the day. The first quarter remained goalless despite five penalty corners being exchanged, one for Pakistan, four for France. In the second quarter, Xavier Esmenjaud threw himself forward with an outstretched stick to put Les Bleus in the lead, touching in a ball across goal. Early in the second half, France doubled their lead, as the inevitable Victor Charlet converted France's fifth penalty corner to give France a real boost towards the final with a 2-0 lead. Pakistan stormed back into the game, however, overturning France the dominance and control as Waheed Ashraf Rana set up Afraz's slap shot before both erupted into celebrations that marked the shift in momentum. Sufyan Khan joined the party, letting fly an unsaveable drag-flick into the top left corner and finding parity with the French. A minute later, Muhammad Hammadudin fantastically deflected in Rana's flat reverse hit to go 3-2 up. Charlet, of course, stepped up with two minutes to play for the French, as his deflected flick equalised scores at 3-3 with two minutes to go. Pakistan went on to win the penalty shootout using just four of their five attempts as France failed to convert chances even after they had wrongfooted the 'keeper. Pakistan head to their second Nations Cup final in as many years looking to go one better than they did last year. After Waheeb Ashraf Rana's creativity and winning penalty named him Player of the Match, he said: 'We were ready for this win for a long time. 110 percent effort from the boys' side. Everything we have – we gave everything. [We are] thankful to Allah almighty for helping us. We are really proud of the team and looking forward to the finals now.' Pakistan will have to overcome world No 11 New Zealand in the final in what will be winner-take-all contest.
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Sport
- 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)
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
FIH Nations Cup: Pakistan into final after beating France on penalties
Pakistan advanced to the final of the FIH Hockey Men's Nations Cup after defeating France 3–2 in a tense penalty shootout, following a 3–3 draw in regular time at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on June 20. The match delivered drama in every quarter, as both teams traded goals and momentum in a gripping semi-final showdown. Pakistan now moves to the final, where it will face the winner of the second semi-final between South Korea and New Zealand. Pakistan 🇵🇰 defeated France 🇨🇵 in the shootouts and qualified for the final. Semi final of FIH Nations Cup!!! 💯🔥❤️ — Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) June 20, 2025 The opening quarter ended goalless despite four penalty corners for France, who finally broke through in the 25th minute with a sharp field goal by Xavier Esmenjaud. Victor Charlet added a second for Les Bleus shortly after half-time, leaving Pakistan with a two-goal deficit. What followed was a spirited response from the Green Shirts. In a five-minute period during the third quarter, Afraz ignited the comeback by converting a cross from Rana Waheed Ashraf. Moments later, Sufyan Khan equalised with a well-placed drag flick off a penalty corner. Muhammad Hammadudin then capped the turnaround with a close-range finish, putting Pakistan 3–2 ahead going into the final quarter. France pressed hard and were rewarded in the dying minutes when Charlet converted another penalty corner to level the scores. Pakistan had a late opportunity to clinch the game from a penalty corner in the 59th minute, but Sufyan Khan's attempt was blocked. With the match deadlocked at 3–3, the contest was settled in a penalty shootout. Pakistan held their nerve to edge France 3–2 in the tie-breaker. Afraz, Shahid Hannan and Rana Waheed Ashraf all converted their efforts, while goalkeeper Hammadudin Muhammad made a crucial save to seal the win. The victory sees Pakistan book their place in the final of the 2024–25 Nations Cup and renews hope for their resurgence on the global stage. Final will be held on June 21 in Kuala Lumpur.
The Star
12 hours ago
- Sport
- 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
- Sport
- 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.
