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Pakistan wins bronze medal in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

At the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2022 in Ipoh, Malaysia, the Pakistan Hockey team defeated Japan by 5-3 to earn the bronze medal on Wednesday. The final will be held today between Malaysia and South Korea.

Pakistan finally won the medal after 11 years. The last victory was in 2011 when Pakistan beat Australia in the competition’s championship game.

In the first quarter of the match between Pakistan and Japan, Hanan Shahid of Pakistan tied the score 1-1 after Kentaro Fukuda gave Japan the lead in the ninth minute.

Arbaz and Rooman each scored one goal for Pakistan in the second quarter to take control of the game.

In the third quarter, Yuma Nagai of Japan reduced Pakistan’s lead to 2-3 in the 30th minute. However, Rooman added a wonderful goal in the 34th minute of the match that once again stretched the Pakistan lead to 4-2. 

In the final quarter, Yuma Nagai pulled one back for Japan in the 49th minute but Abdul Rana added another fantastic goal for Pakistan to finish the match with a 5-3 lead.

According to Pakistani coach Ayaz Mehmood,  it was a great performance by the Green Team, who comprised inexperienced players except for captain Umer Bhutta.

“Pakistan direly needed a medal, and reaching the victory podium proves that the young boys are talented enough to defeat strong teams,” he added.

“Our boys’ average age is less than 23. Eight of our players made their debut in this tournament. The others are also not very experienced. Most of them made their debut in the Asia Cup 2022. So it is a great achievement. The team will be more successful when gradually this team gains experience,” said Ayaz.

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