In the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final held in Ipoh, Malaysia, Japan claimed victory over Pakistan in a thrilling match that ended in a 2-2 draw after full time. The game went into a penalty shootout, where Japan emerged triumphant with a 4-1 win.
Japan showed resilience by making a comeback after Pakistan took a lead with two goals in the third quarter. Kazumasa Matsumoto scored the crucial equalizer for Japan in the 47th minute, leading to an intense shootout to determine the winner.
Despite trailing initially, Pakistan managed to level the score in the third quarter, with Ajaz Ahmed finding the net in the 34th minute and Abdul Rehman in the 37th minute. Earlier in the match, Seren Tanaka scored a field goal for Japan in the 12th minute, setting the tone for an exciting final showdown.
This final marked Pakistan’s first qualification in 13 years, showcasing their improved performance in the tournament. Throughout the round-robin matches of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024, both Japan and Pakistan remained unbeaten, securing the top two positions on the points table. Japan finished first with 13 points from four wins and one draw, while Pakistan secured the second position with 11 points, highlighting their impressive journey in the prestigious tournament.
