JAKARTA: The reigning Asian Champion Japan have defeated Pakistan by 3-2 in the third round match of the ongoing Hockey Asia Cup 2022, here on Thursday.
Pakistan, who locked horns with Japan to book their semi-finals berth in the ongoing Asia Cup, lost their first match of the tournament.
The green shirts lost their first match by a single goal margin of 3-2 after a highly-competitive contest, which saw the momentum swinging both ways.
Pakistan hockey team suffered an unwanted start as the side conceded a two-goal deficit. Ryoma Ooka opened the scoring for Japan in the 14th minute via a field goal before the side enhanced their lead to 2-0.
Ajaz Ahmed then cut the margin to 2-1 after a brilliant strike in the 23rd minute. The green shirts’ celebrations, however, were cut short as Takuma Niwa converted a penalty corner to restore Japan’s two-goal lead.
Pakistan was only a goal down at halftime after Mubashir Ali converted a penalty corner conversion of his own.
The green shirts then remained unable to equalize the scoring as the side failed to score in the second half.
Pakistan hockey team finishes their Pool A matches with 4 points from three games after a draw against arch-rivals India and a 13-0 hammering of the hosts Indonesia.
The fate of the green shirts in the tournament will now be decided when India faces Indonesia at 6:30 PM (PKT) as they must beat the hosts by a 15-goal margin to qualify for the next round.
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