Agencies
Pakistan’s junior hockey team qualified for the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup after holding Japan to a 2-2 draw in their final round-robin match at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru on Friday.
Hamza Fayyaz (34th minute) and Ghulam Mustafa (43rd) scored for Pakistan, who twice came from behind to secure a draw and book their place in the title clash.
Both teams finished the league stage with seven points and an identical goal difference of plus eight. However, Pakistan advanced to the final on the basis of a superior goals-scored record, having netted 18 goals against Japan’s 16.
The Green Shirts concluded the preliminary round with two wins, one draw and one defeat.
They had earlier beaten China 8-3 and Canada 6-2 before suffering a narrow 3-2 loss to hosts Malaysia. Pakistan will face Malaysia in the final on Saturday at the same venue. The hosts remain unbeaten in the tournament and had already secured their place in the title decider.