Pakistan end 16-year drought in Hockey World Cup with Japan win

Green Shirts fail to qualify for next round and participate in 9th to 16th place classification match AMSTELVEEN Pakistan ended a 16-year wait for a Hockey World Cup victory after defeating Japan 4-3 in their Group G encounter. The national team staged a remarkable comeback after falling 2-0 behind to secure a thrilling 4-3 win over Japan in Amstelveen. Rana Waheed Ashraf scored two goals for Pakistan, while Hanan Shahid and Hammaduddin scored one goal each. It should be noted that Pakistan have already been eliminated from the race for the World Cup semi-finals after suffering defeats against India and England. Their match against Wales ended in a 3-3 draw. Earlier, Pakistan defeated Spain 2-1 in the 2010 Hockey World Cup, which was their last World Cup match victory before the win against Japan. Pakistan failed to qualify for the 2014 Hockey World Cup, while they could not win a single match at the 2018 World Cup. It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan was eliminated from the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup after suffering a 5-3 defeat to arch-rivals India at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen. The loss, Pakistan's second in three Group D matches, ended their hopes of progressing to the next stage of the tournament, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. Pakistan entered the crucial clash needing a win to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive. They had previously suffered a 1-4 defeat against England before drawing 3-3 with Wales. However, the defeat to India sealed their exit from the competition. India scored two early goals to put Pakistan under immediate pressure in a crucial Pool D encounter at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. The high-stakes clash carries major qualification implications for both sides. India entered the match with three points from two games, having beaten Wales 3-1 before suffering a 2-4 defeat against England. Pakistan, meanwhile, had collected just one point after losing to England and drawing with Wales. With England already assured of a top-two finish, India need at least a draw to secure their place in the next round. Pakistan, however, must win to keep their World Cup campaign alive. The early goals have given India a strong advantage, while Pakistan now face an uphill battle to stay in contention.