The positions for the decisive phases that are coming up in the next few days have been defined. Today Japan and Pakistan, along with Oman and Malaysia, will define their places.
JAPAN 2 VS PAKISTAN 3 (POOL A)
Pool A was to be defined in today’s match to know who would be in the first and second position to move on to the semi-finals.
The public and all field hockey lovers knew that it would be a tough match and neither of the two would leave spaces and moments for the rival to get ahead on the scoreboard.
The team in white started with an early goal by YASUDA Kumpei to put the score at 1-0, which would leave the team led by MIZAWA Takayasu with the spirit and the scales tilted to their side. It was not until the 23rd minute of play that the green side were able to equalize after many attempts with a goal by AHMAD Arbaz to tie the score.
OLTMANS Roelant’s team came back and in the 30th minute they turned the game around with a goal by WAHAB Abdul to take the lead for the first time in the match.
Japan did not give up for a minute and in the 38th minute they equalized with a goal by YAMADA Hyota to make the game even more tense as both teams were playing for their places in the standings.
Just a minute after the equalizer WAHAB Abdul scored again, but this time to give the deserved victory to his team that despite Japan’s efforts not to allow more goals, managed to leave his team with the three points.
In this way, Pakistan is ranked second in Pool A awaiting its rival, while Japan is in third place in the standings.
The best player of the match was ASLAM Ahtisham, Pakistan’s number 4, who helped his team to win this important match.
OMAN 0 VS MALAYSIA 1 (POOL B)
The second match of the day and the last of the group stage was between the home team Oman, and the top of the Pool B table, Malaysia. Both had a personal stake in this match as Oman would try to reach 6 points while Malaysia wanted to crown their first place and passage to the semi-final with a victory that would leave them as undisputed candidates.
The only goal of the match was scored by Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi in the 48th minute of play after missing many chances in front of the Oman goalkeeper.
On the other hand, the team led by AL RAISI Khalid tried to block the opponent and take advantage of the opportunities that appeared in the opponent’s circle.
Both goalkeepers had an exceptionally reliable performance for their teams, and they participated in not having so many goals in the goal.
The match ended 1-0 for Malaysia who qualified first in Pool B and will play the semi-final against Pakistan, the runner-up in Pool A.
Oman came in fourth place and will play for the 5-8th place against Japan.
The best player of the match was Ahmad Al Farsi, the home team’s outstanding goalkeeper.