Halfway through the event, world number 13, Pakistan, and world number 16, Japan, are tied at the top with equal points as well as an equal goal difference; the two teams drew two all in the head to head tie, and won three nil each against the hosts, Oman (world number 32). With three more matches and final still to be played (on the 20^th of February), here is a recap of the tournament thus far.

Oman and Pakistan played the first match of the tournament. The four time world champions and three time Olympic champions Pakistan won 3 – 0 against the hosts. Ahmed Fareed opened the score in the first quarter for the visitors. Pakistan doubled the lead in the 21^st minute owing to a spectacular field goal from Ajaz Ahmad. Shakqat Rasool had the final say in the game when he scored deep inside the third quarter.

Pakistan then took on Japan in the second match of the tournament. Although Pakistan has had an upper had against Japan in the sport historically, Japan had won the last two encounters in the 2017 Melbourne 4 Nations Tournament. Eager to let Japan make it three in a row, Pakistan took the lead in the 10^th minute Shahjeeh Saeed scored a field goal. The score line remain unchanged till the fourth-quarter when Japan scored two quick goals in the 54^th minute. First through a penalty corner by Shota Yamada and then a field goal by Koji Yamasaki. In the dying minutes of the match, Abubakr Mahmood equalized from a penalty corner with a blistering push into the bottom left corner of the Japanese goal. The final score, 2-2.

The third match was held between Oman and Japan, which ended in a 3-0 victory in favor of the visitors. Shota Yamada scored a brace, owing to two successful penalty corner conversions, making him the leading scorer of the tournament thus far. Hirotaka Wakuri scored the second goal for Japan in 22^nd minute.