Pakistan maintained their impressive momentum in the hockey tournament of the 2026 Asian Games with a 3-0 win over China on Thursday in the Kawasaki Juko Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan.
The first 19 minutes of the game were scoreless before Pakistan finally scored in the 19th minute. His side were given an edge when captain Abubakar Mahmood converted a set-piece.
Pakistan made it two five minutes later with a Sufyan Khan penalty corner goal. Hannan Shahid then scored again in the 28th minute via a field goal.
China could not come up with a response to the three-goal outburst and Pakistan carried a 3-0 lead into the second half and defended the score till the final whistle.
The victory was the third consecutive for Pakistan in Pool B. They had started their campaign with a 9-0 win over Thailand and had downed Uzbekistan 5-1 in the second.
Pakistan have nine points after three games and are tied for the top spot in Pool B with Malaysia, ahead on goal difference.
The team went into the China clash without forward Rana Waheed Ashraf, who had been slapped with a one-match ban after an altercation with an Uzbekistan forward in the last match against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s next match in Pool B will be against Malaysia on September 26. With both sides on unbeaten runs, the game could be a big factor in determining final group standings.
The win is a further positive outcome for Pakistan on their Asian Games run towards the knockout stage.
