ISLAMABAD: Pakistan produced a breathtaking comeback in the dying minutes to stun Japan 4-3 in the semi-final of the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier, sealing a place in the 2026 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup to be jointly hosted by Netherlands and Belgium in August 2026.
Displaying nerves of steel and extraordinary fighting spirit, the Greenshirts overturned a daunting 1-3 deficit in the final quarter, scoring three sensational goals in the last ten minutes to script one of their most dramatic victories in recent years and book a long-awaited berth in the global showpiece.
The match seemed to be slipping away from Pakistan as Japan maintained control for most of the contest, dominating the first three quarters with slick passing, superior possession and relentless pressure. Pakistan struggled to match the Japanese pace and organisation, allowing their opponents to build a comfortable two-goal cushion.
However, the complexion of the match changed dramatically in the final quarter as Pakistan launched a fierce comeback, raising the tempo and mounting continuous attacks on the Japanese defence.
The revival began when Abu Bakr ignited hopes with a powerful carpet shot on a penalty corner that reduced the deficit. Moments later, Sufyan Khan produced a dazzling drag flick on another penalty corner, sending the ball crashing into the net and levelling the score as the momentum shifted decisively in Pakistan’s favour.
With the Japanese defence under immense pressure, Pakistan struck the decisive blow five minutes before the final hooter. Afraz beautifully deflected a perfectly delivered cross from the top of the circle into the net, giving Pakistan a stunning 4-3 lead and sending the bench and supporters into wild celebrations.
Japan made a desperate push for an equaliser in the closing moments and earned a penalty stroke that could have forced the contest into a shootout. But goalkeeper Ali Raza emerged as Pakistan’s hero, producing a brilliant save to deny the Japanese striker and preserve the lead until the final whistle.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had taken the lead through captain Mohammad Ammad, who found the net in the opening stages of the semi-final. But Japan responded strongly to seize control of the match before Pakistan’s dramatic final-quarter resurgence.
The victory carries immense significance for Pakistan hockey. For decades Pakistan featured regularly in the World Cup on the basis of international rankings. However, after the qualification system was introduced, the former giants of the game failed to qualify for the 2014 and 2018 editions of the tournament.
When the International Hockey Federation (FIH) expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams, Pakistan managed to participate in the 2018 event held in India. But this time the Greenshirts have earned their place through qualification, marking a significant milestone for the revival of the national team.
Pakistan achieved the remarkable victory despite missing one of their key attacking weapons, Hannan Shahid, who was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. The team compensated through collective effort, determination and disciplined play, with every player contributing to the memorable triumph.
Pakistan will now face England in Saturday’s final after England thrashed Malaysia 7-1 in the other semi-final. Meanwhile, Japan and Malaysia will meet in the third-place playoff to determine the final available ticket for the 2026 World Cup. For Pakistan hockey, the dramatic comeback against Japan could well mark the beginning of a long-awaited resurgence on the international stage.
