Pakistan’s junior hockey team has marched into the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Japan in their last round-robin match at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru, a result that was enough to carry the Green Shirts into the title clash.
The young Pakistan side came from behind twice in a tense encounter. Hamza Fayyaz struck in the 34th minute to pull Pakistan level for the first time, and Ghulam Mustafa’s equaliser in the 43rd minute secured the crucial point that kept Pakistan’s final hopes alive.
The draw left both Pakistan and Japan level on seven points at the end of the league stage, with an identical goal difference of plus eight. Pakistan edged through on the finest of margins, having scored 18 goals in the tournament compared to Japan’s 16 — a testament to the team’s attacking intent throughout the preliminary round.
Pakistan’s campaign began in blistering fashion with an 8-3 demolition of China, followed by a confident 6-2 victory over Canada. The only blemish came in a narrow 3-2 defeat to hosts Malaysia, a result the young squad will be eager to avenge on the biggest stage.
That defeat now frames the final. Pakistan will meet unbeaten Malaysia in the title decider on Saturday at the same Johor Bahru venue, with the hosts having already booked their place in the final before the last round of matches.
The Sultan of Johor Cup has long been a proving ground for junior talent, and Pakistan’s run to the final signals the steady rebuilding of the country’s hockey pipeline. After topping the scoring charts in the group stage, the Green Shirts will carry both momentum and confidence into the final.
A victory on Saturday would be a landmark moment for Pakistan junior hockey — a title won against the host nation on their own turf. The final at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium will decide whether this young squad converts its promise into silverware.
