Pakistan went on to the final of the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup after defeating France 3-2 in a tense penalty, after a 3-3 draw in regular time at National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on June 20.
The match delivered drama in every quarter when both teams traded goals and momentum in a gripping semi-final showdown. Pakistan is now moving to the final where it will meet the winner of the second semi -final between South Korea and New Zealand.
Pakistan 🇵 didn’t defeat France 🇨🇵 in Shootouts and qualified for the final.
Semi -final by FIH Nations Cup !!! 💯❤ pic.twitter.com/qyxqgiykqe
– Shiraz Hassan (@shirazhassan) June 20, 2025
The opening quarter ended speechless despite four penalties for France, which eventually broke through in the 25th minute with a sharp field target by Xavier Esmenjaud. Victor Charlet added a second for Les Bleus shortly after half-time, leaving Pakistan with a two-target deficit.
What followed was a lively answer from the green shirts.
For a period of five minutes in the third quarter, Afraz ignited the comeback by converting a cross from Rana Waheed Ashraf. Moments later, Sufyan Khan equalized with a well -placed feature flick from a penalty.
Muhammad Hammadudin then closed the rotation with a close range and put Pakistan 3-2 ahead to enter the last quarter.
France pressed hard and was rewarded in the dying minutes as Charlet converted another penalty to smooth the scores. Pakistan had a late opportunity to get played from a penalty in the 59th minute, but Sufyan Khan’s attempt was blocked.
With the match that was locked at 3-3, the competition was run in a penalty. Pakistan held their nerve to Edge France 3-2 in a draw.
Afraz, Shahid Hannan and Rana Waheed Ashraf converted all their efforts, while goalkeeper Hammadudin Muhammad made a decisive rescue to seal the victory.
The victory sees Pakistan book their place in the final of the 2024–25 Nations Cup and renews hope for their resurgence on the global stage. Final will be held on June 21 in Kuala Lumpur.
