The Pakistan Junior Hockey team has progressed to the quarter-finals of the ongoing Junior Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Following a hard-fought match, they achieved a 1-1 draw against Belgium, securing their advancement to the next round.
The team displayed remarkable determination, staging a comeback after Belgium scored a goal in the first quarter. Arbaz Ahmad’s exceptional penalty corner goal in the third quarter restored parity and reinvigorated Pakistan’s position in the game. Their upcoming challenge in the quarter-final will be against Spain.
This accomplishment follows Pakistan’s 3-3 draw against the Netherlands in their opening match. Despite trailing 2-0 in the first half, the team rallied with goals from Arshad Liaqat, Sufian Khan, and Arbaz Ahmed, ultimately drawing level with the Dutch team.
The pivotal moment of the match occurred in the third quarter, with Arshad Liaqat netting a crucial field goal to narrow the deficit. Pakistan then earned a penalty corner, expertly converted into a goal by Sufian Khan, levelling the score at 2-2. Although the Netherlands reclaimed the lead with a field goal, Arbaz Ahmed promptly equalized with another penalty corner, resulting in a 3-3 draw.
In their second match, Arshad Liaqat’s outstanding hat-trick propelled Pakistan to a resounding 4-0 victory over New Zealand. His goals in the 19th, 30th, and 54th minute solidified their commanding position in the game.
The Pakistan squad comprises Ali Raza as the goalkeeper, alongside Arbaz Ahmad, Sufyan Khan, Ghazanfar, Murtaza Yaqoob, Zikriya Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Abdul Rehman, Hanan Shahid (Captain), Abuzar, Arbaz Ayaz, Abdul Rafay (Goalkeeper), Abdul Manan, M Ammad, Ahtisham, Basharat Ali, Aqeel Ahmed, Ali Murtaza, Umer Mustafa, and Abdul Qayyum.
The remarkable performance of the Pakistani Junior Hockey team has garnered acclaim and attention, showcasing their potential to achieve further success in the tournament. As they prepare for the quarter-finals, the players and their supporters are filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement for the challenges that lie ahead.