In a commanding performance, Pakistan secured their place in the semi-finals of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy with a decisive 5-1 victory over host China at the Moqi Hockey Training Base on Thursday. This win not only ensures their advancement but also sets the stage for a possible clash with arch-rivals India in the final.
Nadeem Ahmed and Hannan Shahid each scored twice, while Abdul Rehman added one more to complete the rout for Pakistan. This victory follows their previous 2-1 win over Japan, highlighting a strong run in the tournament.
Pakistan’s captain, Ammad Shakeel Butt, led a balanced display of offensive and defensive prowess. Abdul Rehman kicked off the scoring in the 23rd minute, and Nadeem’s goals in the 36th and 56th minutes further solidified Pakistan’s lead. Hannan Shahid added two more goals in the 46th and 60th minutes to seal the dominant win.
Hannan, who was named the Hero of the Match, praised the team’s collective effort and improved discipline, noting, “We have worked hard as a team, and these results reflect our dedication. Previously, we were conceding too many cards, but we’ve learned from our mistakes and controlled them.”
China’s lone goal came from Gao Jiesheng in the 48th minute, but it was merely a consolation as Pakistan maintained control throughout the match.
With this victory, Pakistan joins India in the semi-finals, setting up an intriguing final group match between the two teams on Saturday. Hannan expressed respect for the Indian team, saying, “I share a positive relationship with Indian players and consider them as my brothers,” but affirmed that Pakistan will focus on their strengths to secure the win when it matters.
Earlier in the tournament, India remained unbeaten with a 3-1 win over South Korea, thanks to a brace from skipper Harmanpreet Singh and a goal from Araijeet Singh Hundal.
Pakistan’s strong performance ensures they cannot finish lower than third, marking a significant improvement from previous tournaments.