New Zealand Beat Pakistan by a crushing 6-1 in the final of the FIH Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The match, which began shortly after 6pm, saw New Zealand reach the final after edging Korea in a shootout in the semi-finals.
Pakistan had a thrilling journey to the final, overcoming France 3-2 on penalties in a dramatic semi-final clash. The win secured Pakistan’s second consecutive Nations Cup final appearance and kept their hopes alive for qualifying for the prestigious FIH Men’s Pro League for the first time.
The Green Shirts mounted a stunning comeback in the semi-finals after being 2-0 down midway through the third quarter. With a combination of youthful energy, tactical discipline, and mental resilience, Pakistan equalized at 3-3, forcing a shootout that they won.
Player of the Match, Rana Waheed, expressed the team’s determination, saying, “We were ready for this win for a long time. Everything we have — we gave everything.” He added that the team was grateful for Allah’s help and proud of their performance in reaching the final.
Pakistan’s journey to the final was made even more remarkable after their 4-3 loss to New Zealand in the final group stage match, despite leading 3-1. This result, however, was enough to see Pakistan through to the knockout rounds ahead of hosts Malaysia on goal difference.
Starting with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Malaysia, Pakistan also secured a convincing 5-2 win over Japan. Despite the setback against New Zealand, the team’s overall performance in the group stages ensured their progression.
With a promising young squad and a renewed focus on grassroots development, Pakistan’s hockey future looks bright, and a victory in the final could lead them back to the FIH Pro League, competing with the world’s best national teams.
