HULUNBUIR: Pakistan started their Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 campaign with a 2-2 draw with Malaysia at the Moqi Hockey Training Base here on Sunday.
The Green Shirts started the game strongly as they took the lead in the second quarter, thanks to a goal by Sufyan Khan.
In the third quarter, Nadeem Ahmed extended their lead with another goal, before Malaysia made a comeback with a goal from the penalty corner.
Pakistan were cruising towards victory with a 2-1 lead, however, Aiman Rozemi’s late goal helped Malaysia level the scores in the dying minutes of the game.
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Earlier in the day, South Korea and Japan settled for a 5-5 stalemate in the opening game of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024.
The ongoing tournament is the 8th edition of the Asian Champions Trophy. Pakistan have won the tournament in 2012 and 2013, while India have won in 2011, 2016 and 2023.
The 2018 edition saw Pakistan and India jointly sharing the trophy as the final was forfeited due to persistent rain.
Defending champions India won the prestigious tournament last year by defeating Malaysia 4–3 in the final.
Pakistan will face South Korea, Japan, China and India in their next fixtures on September 9, 11, 12 and 14 respectively.
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