Amstelveen / Islamabad: Pakistan ended their 16-year wait for a win in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Japan in the 9th to 16th place classification match at the Wagener Stadium.
The result brought much-needed relief for the Green Shirts after a disappointing run in the main round and marked their first World Cup win since the 2010 tournament, when Pakistan defeated Spain 2-1.
Pakistan were put under early pressure as Japan struck twice in the opening quarter through Hyota Yamada and Kaito Tanaka. The setback left the Green Shirts chasing the match, but they gradually regained composure and began to force their way back.
Rana Waheed Ashraf reduced the deficit in the second quarter, making it 2-1 before the interval. Pakistan then lifted their game in the third quarter, where Ashraf scored again to bring the side level before Muhammad Hammadudin put the Green Shirts ahead.
Japan responded quickly through Koji Yamasaki to make it 3-3, adding further tension to an already gripping contest. Pakistan, however, found the decisive goal in the 40th minute when Hannan Shahid scored to restore the lead.
Neither team managed to add to the scoreline after that, and Pakistan held firm to complete a memorable 4-3 win.
The victory carries significance beyond the classification round. Pakistan missed the 2014 World Cup and went winless in the 2018 edition, making this result an important moment for a national sport that has struggled for consistency at the international level.
The win has also come as the Pakistan Hockey Federation is attempting to rebuild the game under its ad hoc president, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani.
Wani has placed emphasis on grassroots development and improving the working structure of the federation. Under his leadership, the PHF announced plans to introduce around 60,000 to 70,000 youngsters to hockey through cooperation with provincial education boards. Free hockey kits are also planned for schools and colleges at the under-14 and under-16 levels.
The PHF has also announced separate Governance Management and Professional Development Committees as part of its administrative and professional reforms. These bodies bring together expertise in financial management, resource mobilisation, sports development, coaching, sports medicine and the experience of former Olympians.
Wani’s approach has not been limited to the senior national team. He has also underlined the need to take hockey beyond traditional centres, with particular focus on regions including Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Balochistan and Sindh, while stressing development at schools, colleges and universities.
Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s win over Japan offers encouragement for the rebuilding process, though the challenge of restoring the country’s status in world hockey remains considerable.
Pakistan had already been knocked out of the title race after defeats to England and India and a 3-3 draw with Wales in the opening phase. The team then moved into the 9th to 16th place classification round.
Although Pakistan failed to qualify for the knockout stage, the determination shown against Japan is likely to give the players confidence as they continue their World Cup campaign.
For a country that has won the Hockey World Cup four times, the long wait for a victory at the event had become a painful symbol of the decline of Pakistan hockey. The win over Japan does not remove the deeper problems facing the sport, but it has offered a welcome reminder that the national side can respond under pressure.
The task ahead is to build on this result through sustained grassroots work, stronger administration, improved training facilities and continued support for players, as Pakistan seeks to regain its place among the leading hockey nations.
