Pakistan delivered an outstanding performance in the FIH Nations Cup on Friday, defeating France 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the teams remained tied at 3-3 during regular play at the National Hockey Stadium, Kuala Lumpur.
Pakistan’s goalkeeper Muneeb Ur-Rehman was instrumental, blocking three of France’s penalty attempts, while Rana Waheed Ashraf, Hannan Shahid, and Afraz successfully converted their shots for Pakistan, securing a highly rewarding victory.
The Green Shirts are now set to face either New Zealand or Korea in the championship match on Saturday.
The thrilling four quarters saw the two sides inseparable, with the scoreline deadlocked at 3-3 at full time. The high-stakes clash began with a tense first quarter as both teams struggled to score the opener. Pakistan earned one penalty corner, while France had four.
The Blues eventually broke the deadlock in the second quarter through Xavier Esmenjaud, who penetrated Pakistan’s defense to score a sensational field goal in the 25th minute. France then doubled their lead just four minutes into the third quarter courtesy of Victory Charlet.
Pakistan subsequently launched an astonishing comeback, netting three goals within a five-minute span to take a 3-2 lead into the final quarter. Afraz scored Pakistan’s first goal after receiving a precise assist from Rana Waheed Ashraf in the seventh minute of the penultimate quarter.
The Green Shirts then survived a major scare when the referee disallowed France’s penalty corner after a VAR review. Seconds later, Pakistan was awarded a penalty corner due to a foul committed by a French defender. This penalty corner was successfully converted by Sufyan Khan, drawing the two sides level at 2-2.
Fueled by this momentum, the Green Shirts seized the lead through Muhammad Hammadudin, a lead that remained intact until the conclusion of the penultimate quarter.
Pakistan then attempted to prevent France from scoring the equalizer by continuously passing the ball, until a foul from their defender with just three minutes left in the game presented the Blues with a crucial penalty corner. Charlet commandingly converted this opportunity, neutralizing Pakistan’s lead. Pakistan had a vital chance to score the tiebreaker in the 59th minute, earning a penalty corner, but Sufyan Khan’s shot struck a French defender, squandering the opportunity.
