Japan beat Pakistan on shootout to win Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

Japan Saturday defeated Pakistan in the penalty shootout to lift the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in the final match in Ipoh, Malaysia.  

Pakistan players failed to score goal on the first two shootouts while Japan players found the net in all four attempts.   

The final between Pakistan and Japan headed into a penalty shootout after both teams played a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

The Japanese side drew first blood against Pakistan as they opened the scoring in the first half through a scintillating goal from Seren Tanaka as Pakistan’s weak defence let in the Japanese forward from the left wing.

Pakistan drew level in the third quarter through a field goal from Ijaz Ahmad and then took the lead against Japan three minutes later when Abdu Rehman made it 2-1 in Pakistan’s favour.

However, Japan’s Kazumasa Matsumoto found the equalizer in the 47^th minute.

After a gap of 13 years, the Pakistan hockey team are playing in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 final.