Pakistan thrash Thailand 9-0 in Asian Games hockey opener

Pakistan's men's hockey team made a dominant start to their campaign at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, crushing Thailand 9-0 in a Pool B encounter. The Green Shirts controlled the match from the first whistle and never allowed Thailand any real scoring chance across all four quarters. Moeen Shakeel opened the scoring in the 8th minute, followed by Ammad Butt in the 12th. Ahmed Nadeem then took over, netting a hat-trick of field goals in the 20th, 37th and 43rd minutes. Sufyan Khan struck twice from penalty corners in quick succession (22nd and 23rd minutes). Rana Waheed Ashraf (31st) and Hanan Shahid (34th) completed the scoring. Pakistan Hockey Federation president Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani congratulated the team and management on the emphatic win and expressed confidence that the side would continue its winning run in the remaining matches. The result puts Pakistan in a strong position early in the group stage.